title: Interactions of single-wall carbon nanotubes with endothelial cells.
abstract: Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) could be promising delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. These carriers are generally introduced intravenously, however, little is known of their interactions with endothelial cells, the cells lining vessels and mediating clearance of nanoparticles. Here we show that SWCNTs of 1 to 5 microm in length, both "pristine" and functionalized by oxidation, had limited toxicity for endothelial cells in vitro as determined by growth, migration morphogenesis, and survival assays. Endothelial cells transiently took up SWCNTs, and several lines of data indicated that they were associated with an enhanced acidic vesicle compartment within the endothelial cells. Our findings of SWCNT interactions with endothelial cells suggest these may be optimal vehicles for targeting the vasculature and potential carriers of anti-angiogenic drugs. The implications on their biological activity must be taken into account when considering the use of these nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery of drugs.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Interactions of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with endothelial cells following IV administration remains unclear. Functionalized and naïve SWCNTs of 1-5 mm in length had limited toxicity to endothelial cells in vitro. Endothelial cells transiently took up SWCNTs and were associated with an enhanced acidic vesicle compartment within the cells. These findings suggest that SWCNTs may be promising vehicles for targeting the vasculature and potential carriers of anti-angiogenic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico, IRCCS Multimedica, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mussi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Agostina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Principi
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tegami
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rocchia
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Francheschi
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sogno
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finzi
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.forename: Douglas McClain
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Noonan
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Valbusa
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon