Nanotechnology is the preparation and use of particles smaller than 100 nm, according to newer classifications smaller than 1000 nm - nanoparticles. They can be composed
of carbon, metals, metal oxides, or organic substances. They possess unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, which give them a wide range of applications
across various fields of science. In immunology, nanotechnology is primarily used in the areas of vaccines and immunosuppressive drugs. With the help of nanotechnology in vaccines, we can optimize targeted delivery in various ways or improve the immunogenicity and clinical effectiveness of the vaccine. Virus-like particles (VLP), nanoparticle-based vaccine carriers, nanoemulsions, liposomes and similar vesicles, virosomes, self-assembling peptide nanofibrils (SAPN), and immunostimulatory
complexes (ISCOM) are used. Therapeutically, nanotechnology is also employed for the suppression of harmful, excessive immune responses. For this purpose, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, nanocrystals, dendrimers, and various lipid nanoparticles are used.
|