Functionalised carbon nanotubes: From intracellular uptake and cell-related toxicity to systemic brain delivery.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been regarded as promising carriers in biomedicine. Due to their high surface area and unique needle-like structure, CNTs are uniquely equipped to carry therapeutic molecules across biological membranes and, therefore, have been widely researched for use in theranostic applications. The attractive properties of the CNTs entice also their use in the brain environment. Cutting edge brain-specific therapies, capable of circumventing the physical and biochemical blockage of the blood-brain barrier, could be a precious tool to tackle brain disorders. With an increasing number of applications and expanding production, the effects of direct and indirect exposure to CNTs on cellular and molecular levels and more globally the general health, must be carefully assessed and limited. In this chapter, we review the most recent trends on the development and application of CNT-based nanotechnologies, with a particular focus on the carrier properties, cell internalisation and processing, and mechanisms involved in cell toxicity. Novel approaches for CNT-based systemic therapeutic brain delivery following intravenous administration are also reviewed. Moreover, we highlight fundamental questions that should be addressed in future research involving CNTs, aiming at achieving its safe introduction into the clinics.
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
Pedro M
PM
Costa
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
Maxime
M
Bourgognon
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
Julie T-W
JT
Wang
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: khuloud.al-jamal@kcl.ac.uk.
Khuloud T
KT
Al-Jamal
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
Biocompatibility; Blood-brain barrier (BBB); Brain delivery; Carbon nanotubes (CNTs); Cell toxicity; Functionalisation