Interaction of Graphene Oxide Modified with Linear and Branched PEG with Monocytes Isolated from Human Blood

Abstract

Multiple graphene-based therapeutics have recently been developed, however potential risks related to the interaction between nanomaterials and immune cells are still poorly understood. Therefore, studying the impact of graphene oxide on various populations of immune cells is of importance. In this work, we aimed to investigate the effects of PEGylated graphene oxide on monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood. Graphene oxide nanoparticles with lateral sizes of 100–200 nm and 1–5 μm were modified with linear and branched PEG (GO-PEG). Size, elemental composition, and structure of the resulting nanoparticles were characterized. We confirmed that PEG was successfully attached to the graphene oxide surface. The influence of GO-PEG on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokines, phagocytosis, and viability of monocytes was studied. Uptake of GO-PEG by monocytes depends on PEG structure (linear or branched). Branched PEG decreased the number of GO-PEG nanoparticles per monocyte. The viability of monocytes was not altered by co-cultivation with GO-PEG. GO-PEG decreased the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli in a concentration-dependent manner. ROS formation by monocytes was determined by measuring luminol-, lucigenin-, and dichlorodihydrofluorescein-dependent luminescence. GO-PEG decreased luminescent signal probably due to inactivation of ROS, such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Some types of GO-PEG stimulated secretion of IL-10 by monocytes, but this effect did not correlate with their size or PEG structure.

The Effect of PEGylated Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles on the Th17-Polarization of Activated T Helpers

“…This is consistent with previous data on other human immune cells from healthy donors. [ 22 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…Modification of GO was carried out by covalent bonding of the amino groups of PEG-NH 2 and 8arm-PEG-NH 2 to the surface carboxyl groups of GO. The modification procedure and characterization of these nanoparticles were described in our recent article [ 22 ]. The properties of the nanoparticles are summarized in Table 1 .…”

MicroRNA-29b/graphene oxide–polyethyleneglycol–polyethylenimine complex incorporated within chitosan hydrogel promotes osteogenesis

“…Encouragingly, the composite hydrogel promoted bone regeneration without causing obvious inflammation, which might be attributed to the functionalization of GO. GO was reported to cause inflammatory responses while some studies indicated PEG functionalized GO could reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulate the secretion of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 (Yue et al, 2012) (Khramtsov et al, 2021).…”

Interaction of Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Visualized in the Cell-IQ System

“…Graphene oxide nanoparticles with sizes of 100–200 nm (GOs) and 1–5 μm (GOb) (“Ossila Ltd.”, Sheffield, UK) coated with linear (P) and branched (bP) polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used. The procedures for modification and characterization of nanoparticles have been previously described by the authors [ 45 ]. The following particles were used in the study: P-GOs (Ø 184 ± 73 nm), bP-GOs (Ø 287 ± 52 nm), P-GOb (Ø 569 ± 14 nm), and bP-GOb (Ø 1376 ± 48 nm).…”