title: Cytocompatibility evaluation of gum Arabic-coated ultra-pure boron nitride nanotubes on human cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are tubular nanoparticles with a structure analogous to that of carbon nanotubes, but with B and N atoms that completely replace the C atoms. Many favorable results indicate BNNTs as safe nanomaterials; however, important concerns have recently been raised about ultra-pure, long (~10 µm) BNNTs tested on several cell types.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we propose additional experiments with the same BNNTs, but shortened (~1.5 µm) with a homogenization/sonication treatment that allows for their dispersion in gum Arabic aqueous solutions. Obtained BNNTs are tested on human endothelial and neuron-like cells with several independent biocompatibility assays. Moreover, for the first time, their strong sum-frequency generation signal is exploited to assess the cellular uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate no toxic effects up to concentrations of 20 µg/ml, once more confirming biosafety of BNNTs, and again highlighting that nanoparticle aspect ratio plays a key role in the biocompatibility evaluation.
authors: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics@SSSA, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Ciofani
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Del Turco
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Rocca
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: de Vito
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Cappello
authors: Maho
authors: M
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Xia
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Mazzolai
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Basta
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Gemmi
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Piazza
authors: Dmitri
authors: D
authors: Golberg
authors: Virgilio
authors: V
authors: Mattoli
mesh_terms: D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D006170:Gum Arabic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; C017282:boron nitride; D006170:Gum Arabic
keywords: HUVECs; SH-SY5Y; biocompatibility; boron nitride nanotubes; gum Arabic