title: Short multiwall carbon nanotubes promote neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells via up-regulation of the neurotrophin signaling pathway.
abstract: Numerous unique properties of carbon nanotubes make them attractive for applications in neurobiology such as drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and as scaffolds for neuronal growth. In this study, the critical roles of the length of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on a neuronal-like model cell line PC12 cells are investiaged. Incubation of PC12 cells with carboxylated MWCNTs did not significantly affect cellular morphology and viability at lower concentrations. Short MWCNTs show higher cellular uptake and more obvious removal compared to longer ones, which can result in higher ability to promote PC12 cell differentiation. Pre-incubation of short MWCNTs can up-regulate the expression of neurotrophin signaling pathway-associated TrkA/p75 receptors and Pincher/Gap43/TH proteins, which might be the underlying mechanism for the improved differentiation in PC12 cells. The current results provide insight for future applications of MWCNTs in neuron drug delivery and neurodegenerative disease treatment.
authors.affiliation: CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chen-Zhong
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Yuliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Autrup
authors.forename: Chunying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors