Immune responses of therapeutic lipid nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery is an emerging technology for targeting therapeutics to the diseased site for enhanced therapy and reduced toxicity. A number of pharmaceutical products that involve nanotechnology have been approved for clinical use, and because of altered pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, their profiles of interaction with host cells and resulting toxicity are different from parent agents. This review focuses on the immune responses induced by therapeutic lipid nanoparticles. These immune responses can provoke toxicity, affect pharmacokinetics of the nanoparticles or induce therapeutic effect. This article begins with a general introduction on immune responses and innate and acquired immunity. Specific examples of therapeutic lipid nanoparticles inducing immune responses in each category are presented with detailed discussions on the mechanisms. Current guidelines for evaluating immune response of nanomedicines are summarized. Finally, perspectives and future directions are provided emphasizing mechanistic studies of immune reactions triggered by nanoparticles.