Toxicity induced enhanced extracellular matrix production in osteoblastic cells cultured on single-walled carbon nanotube networks.
A central effort in biomedical research concerns the development of materials for sustaining and controlling cell growth. Carbon nanotube based substrates have been shown to support the growth of different kinds of cells (Hu et al 2004 Nano Lett. 4 507-11; Kalbacova et al 2006 Phys. Status Solidi b 13 243; Zanello et al 2006 Nano Lett. 6 562-7); however the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. To address the fundamental question of mechanisms by which nanotubes promote bone mitosis and histogenesis, primary calvariae osteoblastic cells were grown on single-walled carbon nanotube thin film (SWNT) substrates. Using a combination of biochemical and optical techniques we demonstrate here that SWNT networks promote cell development through two distinct steps. Initially, SWNTs are absorbed in a process that resembles endocytosis, inducing acute toxicity. Nanotube-mediated cell destruction, however, induces a release of endogenous factors that act to boost the activity of the surviving cells by stimulating the synthesis of extracellular matrix.
Tutak
Wojtek
W
Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
Park
Ki Ho
KH
Vasilov
Anatoly
A
Starovoytov
Valentin
V
Fanchini
Giovanni
G
Cai
Shi-Qing
SQ
Partridge
Nicola C
NC
Sesti
Federico
F
Chhowalla
Manish
M
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016923:Cell Death; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000633:toxicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase