title: Influence of carboxylic acid functionalization on the cytotoxic effects induced by single wall carbon nanotubes on human endothelial cells (HUVEC).
abstract: A vast variety of nanomaterials have been developed in the recent years, being carbon nanotubes (CNTs) the ones that have attracted more attention, due to its unique properties which make them suitable for numerous applications. Consequently, it is predicted that tons of CNTs will be produced worldwide every year, being its exposure of toxicological concern. Nanomaterials, once into the body, can translocate from the uptake sites to the blood circulation or the lymphatic system, resulting in distribution throughout the body. Thus, the vascular endothelium can be in contact with them and can suffer from their toxic effects. In this regard, the aim of this work was to investigate the cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on human endothelial cells evaluating the influence of acid carboxylic functionalization and also the exposure time (24 and 48 h). Biomarkers assessed were neutral red uptake, protein content, a tetrazolium salt metabolization and cell viability by means of the Trypan blue exclusion test. Cells were exposed to concentrations between 0 and 800 μg/mL SWCNTs for 24 and 48 h. Results have shown that both SWCNTs and carboxylic acid functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-SWCNTs) induce toxic effects in HUVEC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent way. Moreover, the carboxylic acid functionalization results in a higher toxicity compared to the SWCNTs.
authors.affiliation: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and University Hospital Virgen de Valme, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Praena
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pichardo
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grilo
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cameán
authors.forename: Angeles
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jos
mesh_terms: D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009499:Neutral Red / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D004396:Coloring Agents; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011506:Proteins; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D009499:Neutral Red; C022616:thiazolyl blue