Evaluation of the adjuvant effect of silver nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo

The immunological adjuvant effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo adjuvant effect of AgNPs was evaluated with model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in mice by intraperitoneal and subcutaneous immunization. Serum antigen-specific IgG level significantly increased in AgNPs-treated mice comparing to the control group. AgNPs induced the increase of IgG1/IgG2a ratio and antigen-specific IgE, indicating that AgNPs elicited Th2-biased immune responses. By in vitro assay, the mechanism of adjuvant effect was explored. After 48 h treatment with AgNPs, both the number of leukocytes and levels of cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in abdominal lavage fluid of mice increased. The expression of the major histocompatibility complex class II molecule on the surface of peritoneal macrophages significantly increased. AgNPs can be easily phagocytosed by peritoneal macrophages, while do not affect antigen uptake by the cell. We therefore conclude that AgNPs have significant adjuvant effect and the mechanism of this effect is mainly ascribed to the recruitment and activation of local leukocytes and especially macrophages. For the first time we found the remarkable adjuvant effect of AgNPs, and the result is beneficial for the future applications, especially in biomedicine.

► AgNPs have significant adjuvant effect and elicit Th2-biased immune responses.
► AgNPs recruit leukocytes and increase cytokines levels in mouse abdominal cavity.
► AgNPs up-regulate the MHC II molecules expression of peritoneal macrophages.
► AgNPs are internalized by macrophages, but do not affect antigen uptake.