PEGylated Gold Nanoparticles Target Age-Associated B Cells In Vivo

Engineered gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have become a useful
tool
in various therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Uncertainty remains
regarding the possible impact of GNPs on the immune system. In this
regard, we investigated the interactions of polymer-coated GNPs with
B cells and their functions in mice. Surprisingly, we observed that
polymer-coated GNPs mainly interact with the recently identified subpopulation
of B lymphocytes named age-associated B cells (ABCs). Importantly,
we also showed that GNPs did not affect cell viability or the percentages
of other B cell populations in different organs. Furthermore, GNPs
did not activate B cell innate-like immune responses in any of the
tested conditions, nor did they impair adaptive B cell responses in
immunized mice. Together, these data provide an important contribution
to the otherwise limited knowledge about GNP interference with B cell
immune function, and demonstrate that GNPs represent a safe tool to
target ABCs in vivo for potential clinical applications.