title: Cytotoxicity of protein-carbon nanotubes on J774 macrophages is a functionalization grade-dependent effect.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used as carriers in medicine due to their ability to be functionalized with chemical substances. However, cytotoxicity analysis is required prior to use for in vivo models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of CNTs functionalized with a 46 kDa surface protein from Entamoeba histolytica (P46-CNTs) on J774A macrophages. With this purpose, CNTs were synthesized by spray pyrolysis and purified (P-CNTs) using sonication for 48 h. A 46 kDa protein, with a 4.6-5.4 pI range, was isolated from E. histolytica HM1:IMSS strain trophozoites using an OFFGEL system. The P-CNTs were functionalized with the purified 46 kDa protein, classified according to their degree of functionalization, and characterized by Raman and Infrared spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT, apoptosis, and morphological assays. The results demonstrated that P46-CNTs exhibited cytotoxicity dependent upon the functionalized grade. Contrary to what was expected, P46-CNTs with a high grade of functionalization were more toxic to J774 macrophages than P46-CNTs with a low grade of functionalization, than P-CNTs, and had a similar level of toxicity as UP-CNT. This suggests that the nature of the functionalized protein plays a key role in the cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, 31109 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Silvia Lorena
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Montes-Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Nuevo Campus Universitario, Circuito No. 1, 31125 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, 31109 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luna-Velasco
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, 31109 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arzate-Quintana
authors.affiliation: Coordinación Académica Región Altiplano, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, 78000 Matehuala, SLP, Mexico.
authors.forename: Macrina Beatriz
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Silva-Cazares
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Nuevo Campus Universitario, Circuito No. 1, 31125 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González Horta
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, 31109 Chihuahua, CHIH, Mexico.
authors.forename: Erasmo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5460-8762
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orrantia-Borunda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000737:chemistry*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D015800:Protozoan Proteins