MUDr. Jana Tulinska, PhD.
Laboratory of Immunotoxicology
Slovak Medical University
Limbova 14
833 03 Bratislava
Slovakia
tel: +421 25 937 0244
fax: +421 259 370 388
email: jana.tulinska@szu.sk
RE: RECOOP Visegrad Scholarship – Bratislava, Assessment of nanoparticle cytotoxicity
Study of possible interactions between nanoparticles and the components of the immune system
Assessment of cytotoxicity
Immunophenotypic analysis of leukocytes
Method for dividing leukocytes into clonal subgroups on the basis of differences in cell surfaces antigens. The
antigenic differences are detected with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Human blood cells, cells derived
from exposed animals or in vitro cultures can be examined.
Detection of cytokines/chemokines
Cytokines or chemokines of interest are analyzed by ELISA method using UV/VIS spectrophotometry.
Serum/plasma of animals exposed to nanoparticles can be evaluated. For in vitro studies, presence of nanoparticles
in samples is limitation factor and possible source of interference with method.
Immune function assays:
Phagocytic activity and respiratory burst of leukocytes
The assay evaluates phagocytic activity and respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear neutrophils/ monocytes exposed
to the test compound administered in vivo in experimental animals or in vitro in cell culture systems using
fluorescein-labeled Staphylococcus aureus and hydroxyethidine and measured by flow cytometry.
Lymphocyte transformation test
It is an in vitro test of lymphocyte function. The test examine increased DNA synthesis ( 3H-thymidine
incorporation) followed by cell division and differentiation of lymphocytes in response to antigens or mitogens
using liquid scintillation method.
Human blood cells in vitro pulsed with nanoparticles or spleen/blood lymphocytes derived from exposed animals
can be examined.
Other immune assays upon request.
In our lab, we used immune assays for evaluation of the potential immunotoxic effect of nanoparticles: titanium
dioxide (TiO2), poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), silica (SiO2), Endorem, uncoated magnetite (Fe3O4) and
sodium oleate coated magnetite. Human peripheral blood leukocytes were exposed with nanoparticles in vitro. Rat
animal model was dosed with nanoparticles in vivo intravenously.
Test systems: human peripheral blood leukocytes, Laboratory animals – rats/mice/guinea pigs (OECD 406, OECD
407, OECD 429)
Potential Applicants RECOOP Intra-Visegrad Scholarships:
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic
Institute of Physics, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
The Intra-Visegrad Scholarships scheme is suitable for scholars coming from one of the Visegrad Group (V4)
countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland or Slovakia) who plan to study in any V4 country other than that of
their citizenship (at any accredited public or private university or institute of the respective national academies of
sciences)
Successful applicants within this scheme will receive scholarships of €2,300/semester and the corresponding host
universities/institutes receive €1,500/semester/scholar.
RECOOP Matching Fund €1,000/semester/scholar
Potential Applicants RECOOP In-Coming Scholarship
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
In-Coming Scholarship - Scholarships for Eastern Partnership
Scholarships for EaP are an extension of the existing In-Coming scheme of the Visegrad Scholarship Program
financing individual mobility of EaP scholars (citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova or
Ukraine) to pursue study or research stays at accredited public or private colleges or universities in the V4 countries.
Successful applicants within this scheme will receive scholarships of €2,300/semester and the corresponding host
universities/institutes receive €1,500/semester/scholar. Scholars who will have to travel to the host institution
more than 1,500 km are also eligible for one-time Travel Grant.
RECOOP Matching Fund €1,000/semester/scholar