Figure 4.

Exposure to nanomaterials activates the immune surveillance system. Nanomaterials used for industrial and biomedical applications or present in the environment can have a major impact on human, animal, and plant health. If nanoparticles penetrate anatomical barriers, cells of the innate immune system (e.g., macrophages, monocytes), found in circulation or locally in different tissues, recognize them. This may lead to nanoparticle degradation/elimination or modulate the body towards beneficial or detrimental responses. (Servier Medical Art, smart.servier.com).