Harnessing the power of a zinc oxide nanoparticles against viral pathology of the cornea: In vitro assessment

As part of this work, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffractogram revealed polycrystalline Zn. According to the transmission electron micrograph, the characteristic size of ZnO NPs was 6-16 nm with the presence of elongated particles up to 20 nm in length. There is also a small proportion of relatively large particles of about 30 nm in size, which was confirmed by laser scattering analysis. The effect of ZnO NPs on the expression of molecular markers of activation of lymphoid cells, autoimmune process marker, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils in patients with corneal viral pathology was studied in vitro. Accordingly, a new method of cultivation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with ZnO NPs was developed. The level of expression of molecular markers of activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was assessed by histoimmunocytochemical method using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The study was conducted in vitro with peripheral blood lymphocytes from 23 patients with viral pathology of the cornea of the eye. The results showed a significant increase in the level of expression of CD7+, CD 25+, CD 45+, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils after the use of ZnO NPs.