In vivo modulatory effects of chitooligosaccharide nanoparticles on mouse serum cytokines and splenocytes

Abstract

Water-soluble chitosan derivative-based nanoparticles (carboxymethyl chitosan-chitooligosaccharide nanoparticles (CMC-COS NP) and sulphated chitosan-chitooligosaccharide nanoparticles (SC-COS NP)) were prepared by the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes. SC-COS NP and CMC-COS NP both induced the proliferation of mouse fibroblasts, whereas they elicited dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of both HeLa and mouse B16 melanoma cells. Injection of SC-COS NP and CMC-COS NP modulated serum Th cytokines and stimulated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells and NK cells) in mice, indicating the ability of these particles to regulate both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. These properties demonstrated their promising potential for application as biomedical materials. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.