The varied transcriptomic response to nanoparticles has hampered the understanding of the mechanism of action. Here, by performing a meta-analysis of a large collection of transcriptomics data from various engineered nanoparticle exposure studies, we identify common patterns of gene regulation that impact the transcriptomic response. Analysis identifies deregulation of immune functions as a prominent response across different exposure studies. Looking at the promoter regions of these genes, a set of binding sites for zinc finger transcription factors C₂H₂, involved in cell stress responses, protein misfolding and chromatin remodelling and immunomodulation, is identified. The model can be used to explain the outcomes of mechanism of action and is observed across a range of species indicating this is a conserved part of the innate immune system.

对纳米颗粒的不同转录组反应阻碍了对其作用机制的理解。在这里，通过对来自各种工程纳米颗粒暴露研究的大量转录组数据进行荟萃分析，我们确定了影响转录组反应的基因调控的常见模式。分析表明，免疫功能失调是不同暴露研究中的一个突出反应。通过观察这些基因的启动子区域，确定了一组锌指转录因子 C ₂ H _{2的结合位点，这些结合位点参与细胞应激反应、蛋白质错误折叠以及染色质重塑和免疫调节。}该模型可用于解释作用机制的结果，并且在一系列物种中观察到，表明这是先天免疫系统的保守部分。