Tattoo ink induces inflammation in the draining lymph node and alters the immune response to vaccination
Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported the consequences of tattooing on the immune response. In this work, we have characterized the transport and accumulation of different tattoo inks in the lymphatic system using a murine model.
Upon quick lymphatic drainage, we observed that macrophages mainly capture the ink in the lymph node (LN). An initial inflammatory reaction at local and systemic levels follows ink capture. Notably, the inflammatory process is maintained over time, as we observed clear signs of inflammation in the draining LN 2 mo following tattooing. In addition, the capture of ink by macrophages was associated with the induction of apoptosis in both human and murine models.
Furthermore, the ink accumulated in the LN altered the immune response against two different types of vaccines. On the one hand, we observed a reduced antibody response following vaccination with an messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, which was associated with a decreased expression of the spike protein in macrophages in the draining LN. In contrast, we observed an enhanced response when vaccinated with influenza vaccine inactivated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Considering the unstoppable trend of tattooing in the population, our results are crucial in informing the toxicology programs, policymakers, and the general public regarding the potential risk of the tattooing practice associated with an altered immune response.
SIGNIFICANCE
In this study, we characterized the immune responses to the tattoo ink accumulating in the lymph nodes (LNs). This is very relevant as tattoo ink commonly reaches and persists in this organ in most tattooed subjects, often lifelong.
We have observed that ink is retained within phagocytic cells, which undergo cell death and induce a prominent and long-term inflammatory response, with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in LNs up to 2 mo after tattooing.
Furthermore, we observed that tattoo ink at the vaccine injection site modulated immune responses in a vaccine-specific manner, with a reduced response to the COVID-19 vaccine and an enhanced response to the UV-inactivated influenza vaccine, reflecting differences in the mechanisms of action between these vaccine classes.
Web | DOI | PDF | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | Open Access
Capucetti, Arianna; Falivene, Juliana; Pizzichetti, Chiara; Latino, Irene; Mazzucchelli, Luca; Schacht, Vivien; Hauri, Urs; Raimondi, Andrea; Virgilio, Tommaso; Pulfer, Alain; Mosole, Simone; Grau-Roma, Llorenç; Bäumler, Wolfgang; Palus, Martin; Renner, Louis; Ruzek, Daniel; Goldman Levy, Gabrielle; Foerster, Milena; Chahine, Kamil; Gonzalez, Santiago F
Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported the consequences of tattooing on the immune response. In this work, we have characterized the transport and accumulation of different tattoo inks in the lymphatic system using a murine model.
Upon quick lymphatic drainage, we observed that macrophages mainly capture the ink in the lymph node (LN). An initial inflammatory reaction at local and systemic levels follows ink capture. Notably, the inflammatory process is maintained over time, as we observed clear signs of inflammation in the draining LN 2 mo following tattooing. In addition, the capture of ink by macrophages was associated with the induction of apoptosis in both human and murine models.
Furthermore, the ink accumulated in the LN altered the immune response against two different types of vaccines. On the one hand, we observed a reduced antibody response following vaccination with an messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, which was associated with a decreased expression of the spike protein in macrophages in the draining LN. In contrast, we observed an enhanced response when vaccinated with influenza vaccine inactivated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Considering the unstoppable trend of tattooing in the population, our results are crucial in informing the toxicology programs, policymakers, and the general public regarding the potential risk of the tattooing practice associated with an altered immune response.
SIGNIFICANCE
In this study, we characterized the immune responses to the tattoo ink accumulating in the lymph nodes (LNs). This is very relevant as tattoo ink commonly reaches and persists in this organ in most tattooed subjects, often lifelong.
We have observed that ink is retained within phagocytic cells, which undergo cell death and induce a prominent and long-term inflammatory response, with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in LNs up to 2 mo after tattooing.
Furthermore, we observed that tattoo ink at the vaccine injection site modulated immune responses in a vaccine-specific manner, with a reduced response to the COVID-19 vaccine and an enhanced response to the UV-inactivated influenza vaccine, reflecting differences in the mechanisms of action between these vaccine classes.
Web | DOI | PDF | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | Open Access