Altered immune cells in the liver and spleen of mice as a typical immune response to graphene oxide exposure

Abstract

In this study, we comprehensively explored graphene oxide (GO)-induced systemic immune responses and interference with hematopoiesis in mice upon GO intravenous injection. In the liver and spleen, GO led to alterations in immune components at different time points. GO exposure showed an effect on the populations of different types of hepatic macrophages. In the liver, the populations of macrophages mainly affected by GO including Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. Stimulated hepatic inflammation led to the infiltration of platelets from the circulation into the liver and decreased peripheral platelets population at day 1. Interestingly, a decreased platelet population was observed on day 7 in the spleen. GO also led to accelerated hematopoiesis in the spleen. Therefore, the possible forced generation of more platelets and the release of mature platelets from the spleen contributed to the increased circulating platelet count on day 7. Therefore, although GO showed a low potential to induce severe inflammation in the liver and spleen, it disrupted hematopoiesis in the spleen, which contributed to fluctuations in circulating platelet counts. The interaction of GO with the immune system warrants comprehensive study for gaining better understanding.