Effect of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and their Citric Acid Polymerization on Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro

Abstract

The effects of acid-functionalized and polycitric acid- (PCA-) polymerized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in contact with the extracellular membrane of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a genetically unmodified cell line with differentiation capability, was evaluated with different cellular parameters. The modified CNTs show differences in the analyzed biological behaviors, that is, intracellular incorporation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity as compared with those unpolymerized nanotubes. Due to the reduced cellular uptake of polymerized CNTs, PCA-polymerized CNTs are less cytotoxic and are associated with less apoptotic cell death than the acid-functionalized ones. The effects of nitrogen-doped CNTs (CNx) is also reported, showing that functionalized undoped CNTs present strong stimulation of cell proliferation, whereas functionalized and polymerized CNxs stimulate an apoptotic behavior. The study of MSCs in contact with CNTs and PCA is challenging due to the complexity of its various signaling components. Our results provide basis for further studies aimed to understand the relevant role that the interaction of these nanotubes with extracellular membrane could have a crucial structure for tissue grafting.

The Advances in Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

“…Another trend in the applications of CNTs is their combination with mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering and treatment of various disorders [152,153]. As well as for other types of stem cells, CNTs have been considered as a possible basis for growing and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.…”

“…It was shown that mesenchymal stem cells cultured on multi-walled CNTs possessed enhanced neural differentiation, indicating the importance of high electrical conductivity of the scaffolds for modulation of proliferation and differentiation of stem cells towards the normal neural tissue. Garnica-Gutiérrez et al studied the effects of acid-functionalized and polycitric acid-(PCA)-polymerized CNTs on mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, including intracellular incorporation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity [153]. It was found out that PCA-polymerized CNTs are less cytotoxic and are associated with less apoptotic cell death than the acid-functionalized ones.…”

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Drug Delivery Agents for Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Preface to Colorectal Cancer Citing Their Markers and Existing Theranostic Approaches

“…Hence, they could be used as scaffolding materials to study the patterns of cellular growth such as adhesion and proliferation. 134 The mechanism of cytotoxicity on rat MSCs in vivo was dependent on mitochondrial and DNA damage, elevated oxidative stress, and damage to cell membranes. 135 The acid-functionalized SWCNTs can disrupt the tight junction barriers and cause cytotoxicity in Madin-Darby canine kidney II epithelial cells.…”

Carbon Nanomaterials and Their Applications

“…Carbon nanotubes were widely investigated as contrast media for photoacoustic tomography and have been shown to enhance photoacoustic tomography imaging, especially in cancer treatments. The design and assessment of cyclic Gly/Arg/Asp (peptide)-single-wall carbon nanotube complex to target and detect tumours in vivo in a tumours model was one of the early examples of enhancements to photoacoustic tomography by using carbon nanotubes as contrast media [57].…”