Carbon Nanotubes in Biomedicine

Abstract

Nowadays, biomaterials have become a crucial element in numerous biomedical, preclinical, and clinical applications. The use of nanoparticles entails a great potential in these fields mainly because of the high ratio of surface atoms that modify the physicochemical properties and increases the chemical reactivity. Among them, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a powerful tool to improve biomedical approaches in the management of numerous diseases. CNTs have an excellent ability to penetrate cell membranes, and the sp 2 hybridization of all carbons enables their functionalization with almost every biomolecule or compound, allowing them to target cells and deliver drugs under the appropriate environmental stimuli. Besides, in the new promising field of artificial biomaterial generation, nanotubes are studied as the load in nanocomposite materials, improving their mechanical and electrical properties, or even for direct use as scaffolds in body tissue manufacturing. Nevertheless, despite their beneficial contributions, some major concerns need to be solved to boost the clinical development of CNTs, including poor solubility in water, low biodegradability and dispersivity, and toxicity problems associated with CNTs' interaction with biomolecules in tissues and organs, including the possible effects in the proteome and genome. This review performs a wide literature analysis to present the main and latest advances in the optimal design and characterization of carbon nanotubes with biomedical applications, and their capacities in different areas of preclinical research.

Modulation of Macrophage Polarization by Carbon Nanodots and Elucidation of Carbon Nanodot Uptake Routes in Macrophages

“…Studies by Jelinek et al have shown that Ge-doped DLC layers with low doping levels are not cytotoxic, while for higher doping levels, Ge has been proven to be cytotoxic, which is related to the production of reactive oxygen species [ 42 , 43 ]. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates in nanomedicine in treating various diseases [ 45 ]. However, these nanotubes have been shown to exert various toxic effects on various cells.…”

Biomolecule‐Directed Carbon Nanotube Self‐Assembly

“…Proteins fulfil structural, recognition, transport, and catalytic functions, and their self-assembly results in a wide range of materials. [14,[86][87][88][89] Protein-SWCNT biohybrids were widely reported elsewhere [22,[90][91][92] and reviewed for their use in nanobiotechnology, material science, and bioelectronics. [93][94][95] Therefore, this section is limited to the preparation of highly ordered structures that have not yet been reviewed in detail.…”

“…This presents a challenge as water is the required medium for bioconjugation and a prerequisite for maintaining the native structure and function of biomolecules. Bioconjugation of CNTs is a suitable strategy to enhance their biocompatibility and prevent possible health concerns, [19][20][21][22] although CNT-based biohybrid materials have not yet been proven to be clinically safe. [21] Furthermore, CNT DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001162 bioconjugation enables the assembly of CNTs into highly ordered structures (Figure 1).…”

Multimodal Decorations of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Improved Cancer Therapy

“…There are various inorganic materials developed so far as delivery systems trying to overcome the loading inefficiency, leakage and the uncontrolled release of the cargo, e.g., metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Few among the metal oxide nanoparticles are already in process for cancer therapy and diagnosis.…”