Download or read book Immunomodulatory Effects of Nanomaterials written by Mahmoud Elsabahy and published by Woodhead Publishing. This book was released on 2022-06-02 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Immunomodulatory Effects of Nanomaterials: Assessment and Analysis provides an overview of the modulatory impact of nanomaterials on the immune system, as well as evaluative and analytical methods for assessing effects. Sections cover a range of common nanomaterials for biomedical use and how different properties can elicit varied responses from the immune system. The immunomodulatory effects of these materials are then discussed, with coverage on adverse and/or toxic effects on the immune system, as well as desired modulatory effects to improve efficacy of applied therapeutics. Readers will also learn about the best evaluation methods for immunomodulatory effects of nanomaterials and associated risks. This book is a useful reference for academics and researchers with an interest in immunology, but it is also idea for those working in the fields of materials science, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical science, immunology and toxicology. - Details a range of common nanomaterials and how their specific properties and characteristics interact with the immune system - Discusses the immunomodulatory effects of nanomaterials, from unintentional and potentially harmful, to intentional and desired effects on the immune system - Explores methods for evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of nanomaterials, as well as precautions and risks for data analysis and interpretation

Download or read book Emerging Trends in Immunomodulatory Nanomaterials Toward Cancer Therapy written by Anubhab Mukherjee and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-05-31 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recently, immunomodulatory nanomaterials have gained immense attention due to their involvement in the modulation of the body’s immune response to cancer therapy. This book highlights various immunomodulatory nanomaterials (including organic, polymer, inorganic, liposomes, viral, and protein nanoparticles) and their role in cancer therapy. Additionally, the mechanism of immunomodulation is reviewed in detail. Finally, the challenges of these therapies and their future outlook are discussed. We believe this book will be helpful to a broad community including students, researchers, educators, and industrialists.

Download or read book Interaction of Nanomaterials With the Immune System Role in Nanosafety and Nanomedicine written by Paola Italiani and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2018-04-10 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The immune system has the double role of maintaining tissue integrity and homeostasis and of protecting the organism from possible dangers, from invading pathogens to environmentally-borne dangerous chemicals. New chemicals recognisable by the immune system are engineered nanomaterials/ nanoparticles, new agents in our environment that are becoming common due to their presence in many products, from constructions and building material (e.g., solar cells, pigments and paints, tilesand masonry materials) to daily products (e.g., food packaging, cosmetics, and cigarettes). Human beings can be accidentally exposed to engineered nanomaterials when these are released from products containing them or during production in workplaces. Furthermore, intentional exposure occurs in medicine, as engineered nanoparticles are used as tools for improving delivery of drugs and vaccines, vaccine adjuvants and contrast agents in therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic strategies. Nanoparticles that come in contact with the immune system after unintentional exposure need to be eliminated from the organism as they represent a potential threat. In this case, however, due to their peculiar characteristics of size, shape, surface charge and persistence, nanoparticles may elicit undesirable reactions and have detrimental effects on the immune system, such as cytotoxicity, inflammation, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression. Conversely, nanomedicines need to escape immune recognition/elimination and must persist in the organism long enough for reaching their target and exerting their beneficial effects. Immune cells and molecules at the body surface (airway and digestive mucosae, skin) are the first that come in contact with nanomaterials upon accidental exposure, while immune effectors in blood are those that more easily come in contact with nanomedical products. Thus, evaluating the interaction of the immune system with nanoparticles/nanomaterials is a topic of key importance both in nanotoxicology and in nanomedicine. Immuno-nanosafety studies consider both accidental exposure to nanoparticles, which may occur by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation (at doses and with a frequency that are not known), and medical exposure, which takes place with a defined administration schedule (route, dose, frequency). Many studies focus on the interaction between the immune system and nanoparticles that, for medical purposes, have been specifically modified to stimulate immunity or to avoid immune recognition, as in the case of vaccine carriers/adjuvants or drug delivery systems, respectively. The aims of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of recent strategies: 1.for assessing the immunosafety of engineered nanomaterials/nanoparticles, in particular in terms of activation of inflammatory responses, such as complement activation and allergic reactions, based on the nanomaterial intrinsic characteristics and on the possible carry-over of bioactive contaminants such as LPS. Production of new nanoparticles taking into account their effects on immune responses, in order to avoid undesirable effects on one hand, and to design particles with desirable effects for medical applications on the other hand; 2.for designing more effective nanomedicines by either avoiding or exploiting their interaction with the immune systems, with particular focus on cancer diagnosis and therapy, and vaccination. This collection of articles gives a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art of the interaction of nanoparticles with the immune system from the two perspectives of safety and medical use, and aims at providing immunologists with the relevant knowledge for designing improved strategies for immunologically safe nanomaterial applications.

Download or read book Interaction of Nanomaterials with the Immune System written by James C. Bonner and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-01-30 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers the latest information related to understanding immune responses to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Many ENMs used in both the consumer and biomedical fields have been reported to elicit adverse immune responses ranging from innate immune responses such as complement activation to changes in adaptive immunity that influence pathogen responses and promote disease states such as asthma. Interaction of Nanomaterials with the Immune System covers the most up to date information on our understanding of immune responses to ENMs across a wide range of topics including innate immunity, allergic immune responses, adaptive provides the reader with (1) up to date understanding of immune responses to ENMs; (2) current testing methods; and (3) appropriate models including alternative testing strategies for evaluating immunotoxicity of ENMs.

Download or read book Handbook of Immunological Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials written by Marina Dobrovolskaia and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2013 with total page 721 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Handbook of Immunological Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature, methodologies, and translational and regulatory considerations in the field of nanoimmunotoxicology. The main subject is the immunological properties of engineered nanomaterials. Focus areas include interactions between engineered nanomaterials and red blood cells, platelets, endothelial cells, professional phagocytes, T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, complement and coagulation systems, and plasma proteins, with discussions on nanoparticle sterility and sterilization. Each chapter presents a broad literature review of the given focus area, describes protocols and resources available to support research in the individual focus areas, highlights challenges, and outlines unanswered questions and future directions. In addition, the Handbook includes an overview of and serves a guide to the physicochemical characterization of engineered nanomaterials essential to conducting meaningful immunological studies of nanoparticles. Regulations related to immunotoxicity testing of materials prior to their translation into the clinic are also reviewed.The Handbook is written by top experts in the field of nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and translational bionanotechnology, representing academia, government, industry, and consulting organizations, and regulatory agencies. The Handbook is designed to serve as a textbook for students, a practical guide for research laboratories, and an informational resource for scientific consultants, reviewers, and policy makers. It is written such that both experts and beginners will find the information highly useful and applicable.

Download or read book Immunomodulators and Human Health written by Rajesh K. Kesharwani and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-06-17 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on a broad range of immunomodulators, including both natural and synthetic ones. It highlights their role in human health. The book discusses nanotechnology-based immunomodulators with special emphasis on different types of formulation to boost the immune system. It highlights the role of immunomodulators against different microbes. This book describes important topics such as Classification and uses of various immunomodulators; Potential role of herbs and spices on immune system; Immune booster activity of prebiotics; Recent advances of nutraceutical and functional foods in Immune health; Antioxidants and immunomodulation; Nanotechnology and immunomodulators in cancer; Immunomodulatory role for the treatment and management of tuberculosis; Immunomodulation in autoimmune disorders; Herbal immunomodulators and COVID-19; Role of Cytokines as Immunomodulators and Immunomodulatory effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. This book covers various aspects of product innovation, development, and launching of nutritional and pharmaceutical products with reference to immunomodulators. This book is meant for researchers and students in the field of immunology and pharmaceutical sciences.

Download or read book Nanoparticles and the Immune System written by Diana Boraschi and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2013-11-29 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nanoparticles and the Immune System provides a reference text for toxicologists, materials scientists and regulators and covers the key issues of interaction of nanomaterials with the immune system. The book discusses several issues that toxicologists and regulators need to know: identification of endpoints that are relevant for assessing hazard, evaluating impact on immunologically frail populations, and how to evaluate chronic/cumulative effects. In addition, the book addresses the possibility of turning the immunomodulating properties of certain nanomaterials to our advantage for amplifying immune responses in certain diseases or preventive strategies (e.g. vaccination). - Identifies endpoints relevant for assessing hazardous situations, evaluating the impact on immunologically frail populations and how to gauge chronic/cumulative effects - Raises the awareness of the importance of knowing the effects of the new nanomaterials on our immune system

Download or read book Handbook Of Immunological Properties Of Engineered Nanomaterials Second Edition In 3 Volumes written by Marina A Dobrovolskaia and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2016-01-28 with total page 1184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unique book provides comprehensive overview of the field of immunology related to engineered nanomaterials used for biomedical applications. It contains literature review, case studies and protocols. The book can serve as a source of information about nanoimmunotoxicology for both junior scientists and experts in the field. The authors have more than 10 years of experience with preclinical characterization of engineered nanomaterials used for medical applications, and they share their experience with the readers. In addition, the international team of experts in the field provides the opinion and share the expertise on individual topics related to nanoparticle physicochemical characterization, hematocompatibility, and effects on the immune cell function . The second edition contains updated chapters from the first edition plus new chapters covering areas of tumor immunology, nanoparticle interaction with lymphatic system, mathematical modeling of protein corona, utilization of nanoparticles for the delivery of antiviral drugs, extensive analysis of nanoparticle anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, novel ways of protecting therapeutic nanoparticles from the immune recognition, as well as case studies regarding nanoparticle sterilization, complement activation, protein binding and immunotherapy of cancer. The second edition comes in 3 volumes. Volume 1 is focused on nanoparticle characterization, sterility and sterilization, pyrogen contamination and depyrigenation. It also contains overview of regulatory guidelines, protocols for in vitro and in vivo immunotoxicity studies, and correlation between in vitro and in vivo immunoassays. Volume 2 is focused on hematocompatibility of nanomaterials. It provides comprehensive review and protocols for investigating nanoparticle interaction with erythrocytes, platelets, endothelial cells, plasma coagulation factors and plasma proteins forming so called 'corona' around nanoparticles. Volume 3 is dedicated to nanoparticle interaction with and effects on the immune cell function. It also contains examples of nanoparticle use for delivery of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Download or read book Emerging Nanotechnologies in Immunology written by Ranjita Shegokar and published by William Andrew. This book was released on 2018-05-17 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Emerging Nanotechnologies in Immunology aims to deliver a systematic and comprehensive review of data concerning the nature of interaction and nano-related risks between the nanophamaceuticals currently in the pipeline of S&T development for skin, ocular, and nasal drug delivery, including absorption, toxicity, and the ability to distribute after systemic exposure.The scientific development of manufactured nanomaterials for drug delivery is increasing rapidly. One of the most prominent applications is topical drug delivery, where cutaneous, ocular, and nasal exposure becomes even more relevant. These targets are the first barrier that nanoparticles encounter when in contact with the human body.The contributors addresses a representative set of the broad spectrum of nanopharmaceuticals currently being used, including cationic lipid nanoparticles, polymeric PLGA, PLA nanoparticles, biomacromolecules-based nanoparticles, and other scaffolds tissue engineered skin substitutes. Regulation and risk is also covered, since the safety of these nanophamaceuticals still represents a barrier to their wide innovative use. - Provides the reader with a thorough knowledge of the safety aspects of nanopharmaceuticals which are currently under research - Focuses on the characterization and quantification of the nanopharmaceuticals - Allows readers to understand the correlation between the nature of the materials and their potential nanotoxicological effects - Includes an overview of regulatory aspects related to the R&D of nanopharmaceuticals

Download or read book Interaction of Nanomaterials with the Immune System Role in Nanosafety and Nanomedicinenanomedicine written by and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The immune system has the double role of maintaining tissue integrity and homeostasis and of protecting the organism from possible dangers, from invading pathogens to environmentally-borne dangerous chemicals. New chemicals recognisable by the immune system are engineered nanomaterials/ nanoparticles, new agents in our environment that are becoming common due to their presence in many products, from constructions and building material (e.g., solar cells, pigments and paints, tiles and masonry materials) to daily products (e.g., food packaging, cosmetics, and cigarettes). Human beings can be accidentally exposed to engineered nanomaterials when these are released from products containing them or during production in workplaces. Furthermore, intentional exposure occurs in medicine, as engineered nanoparticles are used as tools for improving delivery of drugs and vaccines, vaccine adjuvants and contrast agents in therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic strategies. Nanoparticles that come in contact with the immune system after unintentional exposure need to be eliminated from the organism as they represent a potential threat. In this case, however, due to their peculiar characteristics of size, shape, surface charge and persistence, nanoparticles may elicit undesirable reactions and have detrimental effects on the immune system, such as cytotoxicity, inflammation, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression. Conversely, nanomedicines need to escape immune recognition/elimination and must persist in the organism long enough for reaching their target and exerting their beneficial effects. Immune cells and molecules at the body surface (airway and digestive mucosae, skin) are the first that come in contact with nanomaterials upon accidental exposure, while immune effectors in blood are those that more easily come in contact with nanomedical products. Thus, evaluating the interaction of the immune system with nanoparticles/nanomaterials is a topic of key importance both in nanotoxicology and in nanomedicine. Immuno-nanosafety studies consider both accidental exposure to nanoparticles, which may occur by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation (at doses and with a frequency that are not known), and medical exposure, which takes place with a defined administration schedule (route, dose, frequency). Many studies focus on the interaction between the immune system and nanoparticles that, for medical purposes, have been specifically modified to stimulate immunity or to avoid immune recognition, as in the case of vaccine carriers/adjuvants or drug delivery systems, respectively. The aims of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of recent strategies: 1.for assessing the immunosafety of engineered nanomaterials/nanoparticles, in particular in terms of activation of inflammatory responses, such as complement activation and allergic reactions, based on the nanomaterial intrinsic characteristics and on the possible carry-over of bioactive contaminants such as LPS. Production of new nanoparticles taking into account their effects on immune responses, in order to avoid undesirable effects on one hand, and to design particles with desirable effects for medical applications on the other hand; 2.for designing more effective nanomedicines by either avoiding or exploiting their interaction with the immune systems, with particular focus on cancer diagnosis and therapy, and vaccination. This collection of articles gives a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art of the interaction of nanoparticles with the immune system from the two perspectives of safety and medical use, and aims at providing immunologists with the relevant knowledge for designing improved strategies for immunologically safe nanomaterial applications.

Download or read book The Dermal Toxicity and Immunomodulatory Effects of Topically Applied Engineered Nanomaterials in a Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis written by Brian C. Palmer and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The potential human toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) has been a concern for decades; however, the development of ENMs for uses in drug delivery, biomedical imaging, textile production, cosmetics, and sunscreens has outpaced toxicological research. The increasing exposure of ENM to both healthy and diseased skin is of particular concern. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis each have a relatively high prevalence in the United States, and these diseases may allow increased penetration of nanoparticles due to decreased skin barrier function. Using quantum dots (QD) as a model ENM, we observed dermal penetration of these nanoparticles in healthy and barrier defected mouse skin. Additionally, we discovered that acute, low doses (4 ?g/ear) of QDs with either a negative or neutral charge decreased the skin swelling in a model of ACD induced by 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Interestingly, many negatively charged nanoparticles reduced the skin swelling in the ACD model, including: gold, silver, and silica nanoparticles. However, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes exacerbated the effects of DNFB in skin. To examine the mechanisms by which the nanoparticles modulate the allergic skin reaction, silica nanoparticles and carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were chosen for comprehensive toxicity studies. The 20 nm silica nanoparticles, but not the 400 nm silica particles, decreased DNFB induced skin swelling. The mechanism appears to partially involve an interaction with keratinocytes, which leads to decreases in epidermal hyperplasia, inflammatory cytokine release, and cytotoxic T cell skin infiltration. The immunosuppressive effects of silica nanoparticles may be exploited as a potential therapeutic for inflammatory skin conditions. Alternatively, increased levels of carboxylation in the multi-walled carbon nanotubes display a direct effect on both the in vitro keratinocyte cell toxicity and the level of exacerbation in the DNFB induced skin swelling. The highly carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes appear to induce toxicity in allergen exposed skin via increased mast cell degranulation, inflammatory cytokine release, and polymorphonuclear cell skin infiltration. This research represents a potentially unforeseen dermal toxicity of nanoparticles when applied to populations with inflammatory skin conditions; however, further studies are required to examine chronic exposure in human skin models.

Download or read book Nanovaccines written by Sergio Rosales-Mendoza and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-11-07 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a compilation of the current developments in mucosal nanovaccines, which are an attractive approach to fight against infectious and non-communicable diseases. Since nanomaterials possess unique properties; many of them have a positive effect on vaccine efficacy when used as antigen carriers and have been applied in vaccinology with significant advances over the past years. This book addresses the methodologies for mucosal nanovaccines synthesis; based on the following nanomaterials: gold, PLGA, silica, and chitosan nanoparticles; as well as nanogels, carbon nanotubes, liposomes, and Virus-like particles. A description of the immunogenic properties of the mucosal nanovaccines is presented, highlighting the improvements achieved with this approach when compared to conventional formulations. Mucosal vaccines constitute the most practical immunization approach since they are easy to administer (promoting patient ́s comfort and increasing compliance), allow triggering relevant immune responses at both the site of administration and distant compartments, and thus may protect the main entry portal for pathogens (oral, nasal, and genital mucosae). In this context, the potential of nanovaccines to result in new mucosal formulations in the benefit of global health is analyzed. Covers the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials for the development of nanovaccines; Discusses the underlying mechanisms involved in the induction of immune responses through mucosal compartments and the advantages of nanomaterials in the formulation of nanovaccines; Transmits the state of the art for the development of mucosal nanovaccines; Provides routes for the design and evaluation of mucosal nanovaccines; Presents key perspectives for the field of mucosal vaccine development.

Download or read book Nanotechnology for Cancer Therapy written by Mansoor M. Amiji and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2006-12-19 with total page 808 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While simultaneous breakthroughs occurring in molecular biology and nanoscience/technology will ultimately revolutionize all of medicine, it is with our efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer that many of the most dramatic advances will occur. In support of this potential, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Alliance fo

Download or read book Handbook of Immunological Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials written by Marina Dobrovolskaia and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2012 with total page 721 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Handbook of Immunological Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature, methodologies, and translational and regulatory considerations in the field of nanoimmunotoxicology. The main subject is the immunological properties of engineered nanomaterials. Focus areas include interactions between engineered nanomaterials and red blood cells, platelets, endothelial cells, professional phagocytes, T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, complement and coagulation systems, and plasma proteins, with discussions on nanoparticle sterility and sterilization. Each chapter presents a broad literature review of the given focus area, describes protocols and resources available to support research in the individual focus areas, highlights challenges, and outlines unanswered questions and future directions. In addition, the Handbook includes an overview of and serves a guide to the physicochemical characterization of engineered nanomaterials essential to conducting meaningful immunological studies of nanoparticles. Regulations related to immunotoxicity testing of materials prior to their translation into the clinic are also reviewed.The Handbook is written by top experts in the field of nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and translational bionanotechnology, representing academia, government, industry, and consulting organizations, and regulatory agencies. The Handbook is designed to serve as a textbook for students, a practical guide for research laboratories, and an informational resource for scientific consultants, reviewers, and policy makers. It is written such that both experts and beginners will find the information highly useful and applicable.

Download or read book Unraveling the Safety Profile of Nanoscale Particles and Materials written by Andreia Ferreira de Castro Gomes and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2018-03-21 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As nanomaterials become increasingly present in our daily lives, pertinent questions regarding their safety arise. Nanomaterial risk assessment, as in other areas, directs much of the effort worldwide in defining guidelines that may be translated into national or international directives. Nanomaterials encompass different entities, from nanoparticles to nanostructured materials, with specific effects over cells, tissues, organisms and ecosystems depending on their biophysical characteristics. Such interactions will directly affect the impact of novel nanotechnologies. This book aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in nanotoxicology, featuring the most important developments and critical issues regarding the use of and exposure to nanoparticles.

Download or read book Handbook of Immunological Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials Second Edition in 3 Volumes written by Marina A Dobrovolskaia and published by . This book was released on 2016-01-29 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unique book provides comprehensive overview of the field of immunology related to engineered nanomaterials used for biomedical applications. It contains literature review, case studies and protocols. The book can serve as a source of information about nanoimmunotoxicology for both junior scientists and experts in the field. The authors have more than 10 years of experience with preclinical characterization of engineered nanomaterials used for medical applications, and they share their experience with the readers. In addition, the international team of experts in the field provides the opinion and share the expertise on individual topics related to nanoparticle physicochemical characterization, hematocompatibility, and effects on the immune cell function . The second edition contains updated chapters from the first edition plus new chapters covering areas of tumor immunology, nanoparticle interaction with lymphatic system, mathematical modeling of protein corona, utilization of nanoparticles for the delivery of antiviral drugs, extensive analysis of nanoparticle anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, novel ways of protecting therapeutic nanoparticles from the immune recognition, as well as case studies regarding nanoparticle sterilization, complement activation, protein binding and immunotherapy of cancer. The second edition comes in 3 volumes. Volume 1 is focused on nanoparticle characterization, sterility and sterilization, pyrogen contamination and depyrigenation. It also contains overview of regulatory guidelines, protocols for in vitro and in vivo immunotoxicity studies, and correlation between in vitro and in vivo immunoassays. Volume 2 is focused on hematocompatibility of nanomaterials. It provides comprehensive review and protocols for investigating nanoparticle interaction with erythrocytes, platelets, endothelial cells, plasma coagulation factors and plasma proteins forming so called 'corona' around nanoparticles. Volume 3 is dedicated to nanoparticle interaction with and effects on the immune cell function. It also contains examples of nanoparticle use for delivery of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Download or read book Immunomodulatory Effects of Nanoparticles in a Mouse Model of Skin Allergy written by Samreen Jatana and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 207 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Topical treatments containing nanoparticles (NPs), also known as cosmeceuticals, is a fast growing market including products for hair damage, anti-wrinkle lotions, hyperpigmentation and photoaging and is expected to be valued at $31.84 billion by 2016. NPs incorporated in cosmeceuticals as well as drug delivery systems include liposomes, nanocapsules, lipid NPs, nanocrystals, dendrimers, nanogold, nanosilver, cubosomes, niosomes and fullerenes. The penetration of NPs through the skin is anticipated to depend on their physiochemical properties like size, shape, surface charge and composition as well as the skin barrier status. Understanding the factors that affect NP penetration through skin and their interaction with the cellular components in the epidermis and dermis are critical for the tailoring and design of NP-based topical and transdermal therapeutics. Various ex vivo and in vivo animal models have been used to quantify NP penetration, their systemic transport and immunomodulatory effects (direct immune suppression and targeted delivery). Skin is also the main route to allergen sensitization and provides innate as well as adaptive immune functions to maintain homeostasis. Skin antigen presenting cells (APCs) generate an adaptive immune response following allergen exposure as in the case of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), a type IV hypersensitivity response. Common ACD allergens include urushiol in poison ivy and nickel in jewelry. APCs sensitize effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the lymph nodes against topical allergens at the point of first contact (sensitization phase) and a subsequent exposure can cause pruritic rash and/or swelling generated by the antigen-specific T cells (elicitation phase). Over 2800 chemicals have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in the skin and an estimated 15-20% of the population in North America suffers from contact allergy. The goal of the current treatment methods (steroids and antihistamines) is to reduce symptoms of ACD that include swelling, redness, barrier dysfunction, pruritus (itch), and induration (tissue hardening). Hence, there is an unmet need for an effective over-the-counter topical therapeutic for treating inflammatory skin conditions like ACD. In this thesis, we demonstrate through both ex vivo and in vivo skin models that several factors like application vehicles, skin processing conditions and exposure models can impact NP penetration through skin and their potential uptake by skin immune cells. We also discuss the development of a topical therapeutic containing NPs in a mouse model of ACD called Contact Hypersensitivity Response (CHS) model. We discovered that some NPs like gold NPs (AuNP), silver NPs (AgNP) and silica NPs (SiNP) have an intrinsic ability to suppress the inflammatory response in the elicitation phase of the allergic response with a common workplace sensitizer called dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). These NPs when applied within a 2 hour window of exposure to a chemical allergen (DNFB) reduce the influx of immune cells (neutrophils and T cells) and mitigate mast cell degranulation in the tissue that leads to an altered cytokine milieu thereby generating an immunosuppressive effect. These findings suggest an opportunity to develop an NP based therapeutic for treating/preventing skin allergies. Future studies seek to examine the extensibility of our findings to other Th1 and Th2 sensitizing agents like 2-deoxyurushiol and to develop a cellular and molecular level understanding of the immunosuppressive mechanism."--Pages viii-ix.