Abstract
Macrophages are known to play important role in early immune reaction in our body. Recent research have elucidated that macrophages existing surround the tumor tissues underwent quiescence in immune response against tumor cells. An appropriate stimulation of macrophages by using drug containing nanoparticles may be one of the key challenges. Macrophages are known to phagocytize particulate materials by means of particle size, surface hydrophobicity, and particle shapes. We have been working on the preparation of thermoresponsive core–corona type nanoparticles and their application to biomaterials. Here, preparation of thermoresponsive and transformable nanoparticles and their interaction with macrophages are overviewed. The appropriate control of the particle properties, i.e., core glass transition temperature and corona transition temperature, we can modulate phagocytosis of nanoparticles by macrophages.
