Effect of carbon black nanomaterial on biological membranes revealed by shape of human erythrocytes, platelets and phospholipid vesicles

Abstract

BackgroundWe studied the effect of carbon black (CB) agglomerated nanomaterial on biological membranes as revealed by shapes of human erythrocytes, platelets and giant phospholipid vesicles. Diluted human blood was incubated with CB nanomaterial and observed by different microscopic techniques. Giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (GUVs) created by electroformation were incubated with CB nanomaterial and observed by optical microscopy. Populations of erythrocytes and GUVs were analyzed: the effect of CB nanomaterial was assessed by the average number and distribution of erythrocyte shape types (discocytes, echinocytes, stomatocytes) and of vesicles in test suspensions, with respect to control suspensions. Ensembles of representative images were created and analyzed using computer aided image processing and statistical methods. In a population study, blood of 14 healthy human donors was incubated with CB nanomaterial. Blood cell parameters (concentration of different cell types, their volumes and distributions) were assessed.ResultsWe found that CB nanomaterial formed micrometer-sized agglomerates in citrated and phosphate buffered saline, in diluted blood and in blood plasma. These agglomerates interacted with erythrocyte membranes but did not affect erythrocyte shape locally or globally. CB nanomaterial agglomerates were found to mediate attractive interaction between blood cells and to present seeds for formation of agglomerate - blood cells complexes. Distortion of disc shape of resting platelets due to incubation with CB nanomaterial was not observed. CB nanomaterial induced bursting of GUVs while the shape of the remaining vesicles was on the average more elongated than in control suspension, indicating indirect osmotic effects of CB nanomaterial.ConclusionsCB nanomaterial interacts with membranes of blood cells but does not have a direct effect on local or global membrane shape in physiological in vitro conditions. Blood cells and GUVs are convenient and ethically acceptable methods for the study of effects of various substances on biological membranes and therefrom derived effects on organisms.

Synthesis of Nylon 6/Modified Carbon Black Nanocomposites for Application in Uric Acid Adsorption

“…The unmodified carbon black showed hemolysis of 3% and the same material modified with citric acid showed a percentage of hemolysis of 1.6%. These results indicate that CB and their derivatives have no hemolytic potential and coincide with those reported by others [ 56 , 57 ]. The NY6/MCB60-1.0 and NY6/MCB60-2.0 nanocomposites (with 1 and 2 wt % of MCB, respectively) showed low percentages of hemolysis (1.8% and 2.4%).…”

“…This study suggests that the combination of the polar polymer as Nylon 6 with MCB leads to materials with low hemolytic potential, meaning that they have excellent blood compatibility. Similar conclusions were reported by Pajnic et al when studying the effect of carbon black in biological membranes such as erythrocytes, who concluded that there is no damage by the presence of agglomerates of carbon black [ 57 ].…”

Natural rubber‐carbon black coagulation: Following the nanostructure evolution from a colloidal suspension to a composite

“…Moreover, the work of Amornwachirabodee et al 22 on the penetration of oxidized carbon black (OCBs) (prepared from commercially available CB) into cell‐sized liposomes also reported the adsorption of phospholipids on OCBs. Additionally, a study on the effect of CB incubated with giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (GUV) reported a decreasing number of GUV over time, 23 thus supporting our hypothesis.…”

Relationship between Particulate Matter Pollution and Acute Coronary Syndrome Incidence

“…The exact mechanisms by which short-term exposure to high levels of PM could elevate the risk of MI remains uncertain. However, several possible mechanisms for the associations have been discussed [24,44,45], including an elevated risk of inflammation [43], increased heart rate and reduced heart rate variability [46][47][48], increased blood viscosity [49,50], hypercoagulability [51], and vasoconstriction [52].…”