Cellular responses induced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes: in vivo and in vitro studies on the medicinal leech macrophages

Abstract

The core characteristics of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are impressive and attractive for technology however, since their production and use is steadily increasing, their environmental dispersion could be potentially hazardous to animal and human health. For this reason, the identification of new methods and of reliable models to better understand MWCNT effects is essential. Here we propose the medicinal leech as an alternative model to assess the effects of MWCNTs on immune system. Our previous studies have already demonstrated that in vivo MWCNT treatment induces the activation of leech’s macrophages. Here we will focus on the direct effects of MWCNTs on these cells by isolating and culturing leech's macrophages by means of the consolidated Matrigel technique, followed by MWCNT in vitro treatment. Our results indicate that MWCNT administration causes both the decrease of cell proliferation rate and the increase of the apoptotic rate. Furthermore, since oxidative stress is linked with inflammation, reactive oxygen species has been evaluated confirming that their production rate increases after MWCNT treatment. Our experimental approaches demonstrate the ability of MWCNTs inducing a powerful inflammatory response and confirm that the medicinal leech is a good alternative model to study the possible harmful effects of any nanomaterial.

Single wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes induce different toxicological responses in rat alveolar macrophages

“…We can suggest the following hypothesis: MWCNTs lead to ROS production by inducing inflammation (Girardello, Baranzini, Tettamanti, de Eguileor, & Grimaldi, ) while SWCNTs enhance oxidative stress through mitochondrial damage as discussed earlier. (He et al, ).…”

Novel mineralized electrospun chitosan/PVA/TiO2 nanofibrous composites for potential biomedical applications: computational and experimental insights

“…50 However, recently, it has been recognized that the adverse effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes are numerous, such as their pro-inammatory, cytotoxic, and oxidative stress inuences on cells and tissues. 62,63 On the other hand, Shokrgozar et al fabricated chitosan-PVA nanobrous embedded single walled carbon nanotube composite materials and they showed an enhancement for brain derived cells. 28 Luanpitpong et al investigated the cellular effect of carbon nanotubes and highlighted their adverse effects on the cellular behaviour of dermal and lung cells and tissues.…”

Quantitative Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Impairment in RAW 264.7 Macrophages after Exposure to Pristine, Acid Functionalized, or Annealed Carbon Nanotubes

“…•OH is considered as the most harmful radical species as its production can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, and critical damages on molecular organic substrates such as proteins, lipids, and nuclear acids [6,16,30]. A review of the current literature revealed that MWCNT could induce cell death through different pathways such as apoptosis, necrosis, or autophagy mechanisms, depending on the cell model as well as MWCNTs physicochemical properties and exposure conditions [5,23,27,28,[35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

“…Therefore, alveolar macrophages represent a preferential cell target. They are the first immune defense cells encountered by MWCNTs after inhalation, and their phagocytosis functions may trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory response [25,31,35]. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, a referent in vitro model for nanotoxicological studies, were chosen for this study [26,31,36,38,48].…”