Can amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes carry functional nerve growth factor?

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes can carry protein into cells to induce biological effects. Amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes are soluble and biocompatible, have high reactivity and low toxicity, and can help promote nerve cell growth. In this study, amino-functionalized ethylenediamine-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used to prepare carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complexes by non-covalent grafting. The physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity to PC12 and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion, and biological activity of the carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complexes were investigated. The results showed that amino functionalization improved carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complex dispersibility, reduced their toxicity to PC12 cells, and promoted PC12 cell differentiation and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion.

Genes expression profiling of alveolar macrophages exposed to non-functionalized, anionic and cationic multi-walled carbon nanotubes shows three different mechanisms of toxicity

“…Therefore, it can be concluded that functionalization nature performed will have a significant impact on downstream toxicity. However, it is also important to note that the observed toxicity appears to be linked to the chosen in vitro model, as a work reported low levels of toxicity in PC12 cells in response to amino-MWCNT [22], in contrast to the high toxicity observed in three leukemia cell lines, THP-1, U-937 and HL-60, where the amino-CNT prevented cell proliferation [43]. As regards the pristine NM403, the cytotoxicity observed may be a result of short length compared to bothNRCWE-042 and NRCWE-049 ones [44].…”

“…To date, it has been reported that there is no difference in cytotoxicity induced in fibroblasts between amino functionalized and pristine CNT [21]. There might even be a mitigation of the toxicity induced by pristine CNT Raw264.7 macrophages and PC12 cells [22]. Given the different endpoints which seems to be particular to each cell type and suggesting that macrophages could be more sensitive than other cells like epithelial ones, it would be interesting to focus on how functionalizing is critical for phagocytic cells.…”

Hybrids of Nucleic Acids and Carbon Nanotubes for Nanobiotechnology

“…Finally, the interaction between nucleic acids and graphene has becoming a major area of interest [ 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 205 , 206 , 207 , 208 , 209 , 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 , 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 , 219 ], and the safety of CNTs is an important area of research [ 220 , 221 , 222 , 223 , 224 , 225 , 226 , 227 , 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 , 237 , 238 , 239 , 240 , 241 , 242 , 243 , 244 , 245 ]. Further review articles that focus on these topics will be compiled.…”

Carbon Nanostructures in Bone Tissue Engineering

“…suggest toxicity could be due to increased bioavailability, negative charge of the functionalization (possibly leading to higher levels of internalisation by macrophages), or both [ 193 ]. Conversely, amino [ 226 ] and polyethylene glycol (PEG) [ 216 ] groups can reduce CNT cytotoxicity, whereas albumin coating can specifically reduce SWCNT toxicity [ 227 ]. Furthermore, Wang et al .…”