Immunostimulatory effects of gold nanorod and silica-coated gold nanorod on RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages

In this study, we have investigated immunostimulatory effects of gold nanorod (Au) and silica-coated gold nanorod (SiAu) concerned with inflammatory mediators such as calcium (Ca), hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide (NO), various cytokines, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), transcription factors, and immune response gene in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages.Both Au and SiAu significantly increased the release of Ca, hydrogen peroxide, NO, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-3, TNF-α, RANTES, G-CSF, GM-CSF, LIF, MIP-2, VEGF, and PGE2 with enhancing expression of STAT1, STAT3, c-Fos, and COX-2 mRNA in RAW 264.7 cells.The results suggest that Au and SiAu have immunostimulatory properties to strengthen immune reactions via calcium–transcription factors pathway in macrophage.

► Gold nanorod and silica-coated gold nanorod increase nitric oxide in RAW 264.7. ► Both nanorods increase calcium, PGE2, and cytokine production in RAW 264.7. ► Both nanorods enhance STAT1, STAT3, c-Fos, and COX-2 mRNA expression in RAW 264.7. ► Both nanorods activate macrophages via calcium–TF pathway.