High aspect ratio nanomaterial-induced macrophage polarization is mediated by changes in miRNA levels

The immunomodulating effects of two classes of industrially relevant high aspect ratio nanomaterials, namely nanocellulose (NC) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and the involvement of epigenetic regulation were investigated in an air-lifted alveolar macrophage model. Our data illustrate that both nanomaterials trigger phenotypic changes in alveolar macrophages, where NC exposure leads to enhanced M1 phenotype and MWCNT promotes M2 phenotype.