Interaction of engineered nanomaterials with the immune system: Health-related safety and possible benefits

Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between nanomaterials and the immune system will provide us with endless possibilities of exploiting nano-objects for tuning immune responses towards preventing or curing diseases. We propose here strategies and actions that could help us in strengthening and exploiting such knowledge. By varying their composition, size, shape, and surface properties, it is possible to obtain a vast range of nanocarriers to target specific organs, tissues or cells for diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic purposes. Also, evaluation of immunosafety of such nanomaterials will contribute to designing nanomedical products devoid of side effects. In this review, we will describe the interaction of nanoparticles with the systemic and tissue-specific immune system, with a particular focus on innate immunity, aiming at providing information on the state-of-the art of nano-immune interactions and perspectives about future possibilities of exploitation.