Evidence of size-dependent effect of silica micro- and nano-particles on basal and specialized monocyte functions

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the effect of silica particles on monocyte/macrophage functions. Materials & methods: Silica micro- and nanoparticles were obtained by the Stober method. Their effect on monocyte/macrophage proliferation, activation, membrane integrity and metabolic activity were determined. Results: Silica particles inhibit cell proliferation while 10 nm nanoparticles (NPs) did not affect it. Similarly, silica particles induced strong cell activation. However, 10 nm NPs do not alter IL-12 or nitrite levels. Furthermore, bigger NPs and microparticles increase cell membrane damage and reduce the number of living cells but smallest NPs (10 and 240 nm) did not. Conclusion: Cell activation properties of silica particles could be useful tools for immune stimulation therapy, while 10 nm NPs would be suitable for molecule transportation.