title: Functionalized carbon nanotubes are non-cytotoxic and preserve the functionality of primary immune cells.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes are emerging as innovative tools in nanobiotechnology. However, their toxic effects on environment and health have become an issue of strong concern. In the present study, we address the impact of functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) on cells of the immune system. We have prepared two types of f-CNTs, following the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction (f-CNTs 1 and 2) and the oxidation/amidation treatment (f-CNTs 3 and 4), respectively. We have found that both types of f-CNTs are uptaken by B and T lymphocytes as well as macrophages in vitro, without affecting cell viability. Subsequently, the functionality of the different cells was analyzed carefully. We discovered that f-CNT 1, which is highly water soluble, did not influence the functional activity of immunoregulatory cells. f-CNT 3, which instead possesses reduced solubility and forms mainly stable water suspensions, preserved lymphocytes' functionality while provoking secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages.
authors.affiliation: CNRS UPR 9021, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Strasbourg, France. prato@units.it
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dumortier
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lacotte
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pastorin
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marega
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonifazi
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Briand
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.forename: Sylviane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001709:Biotechnology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D016207:Cytokines; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon