Biomembrane damage caused by exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Interactions between PAMAM dendrimers and DOPC lipid multilayers: Membrane thinning and structural disorder

BACKGROUND

Understanding the structure of hybrid nanoparticle-lipid multilayers is of fundamental importance to their bioanalytical applications and nanotoxicity, where nanoparticle-membrane interactions play an important role. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are branched polymeric nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications due to precise tunability of their physicochemical properties. Here, the effect of PAMAM dendrimers (2.9-4.5 nm) with either a hydrophilic amine (NH₂) or a hydrophobic C₁₂ chain surface termination on the 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) multilayers has been studied for the first time.

METHODS

DOPC multilayers were created by the liposome-rupture method via drop-casting dendrimer-liposome dispersions with the dendrimers added at different concentrations and at three different stages. The multilayer structure was evaluated via the analysis of the synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR) curves, obtaining the bilayer d-spacing, the coherence length from the Scherrer (L_s) analysis of the Bragg peaks, and the paracrystalline disorder parameter (g).

RESULTS

Dendrimer addition led to lipid bilayer thinning and more disordered multilayer structures. Larger hydrophobic dendrimers caused greater structural disruption to the multilayers compared to the smaller dendrimers. The smallest, positively charged dendrimers at their highest concentration caused the most pronounced bilayer thinning. The dendrimer-liposome mixing method also affected the multilayer structure due to different dendrimer aggregation involved.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show the complexity of the effect of dendrimer physicochemical properties and the addition method of dendrimers on the structure of mixed dendrimer-DOPC multilayers.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

These insights are useful for fundamental understanding of nanotoxicity and future biomedical application of nanocomposite multilayer materials in which nanoparticles are added for enhanced properties and functionality.

MWCNT interactions with protein: surface-induced changes in protein adsorption and the impact of protein corona on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity

PURPOSE

Protein adsorption onto nanoparticles in the form of protein corona, affects properties of nanomaterials and their behavior in the biological milieu. This study aims at exploring the effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface chemistry on bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), including their adsorption behavior and spatial configurations, as well as the impact on cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and cellular responses.

METHODS

Three types of MWCNTs (pristine MWCNTs, MWCNTs-COOH, and MWCNTs-PEG) were synthesized by classical chemical reduction. The size, morphology, hydrodynamic size, and zeta potential were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. MWCNTs were exposed to BSA and IgG solutions, then the amount of MWCNT absorption was performed by bicinchoninic acid assay, and the effects were assessed by utilizing fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Quantitative measurement of MWCNTs uptake with or without protein corona was performed as turbidity method. CCK assay and a microdilution method were performed to evaluate the effects of protein corona on cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory cytokines release.

RESULTS

The BSA and IgG adsorption capacities of MWCNTs followed the order pristine MWCNTs>MWCNTs-COOH and MWCNTs-PEG. MWCNT binding can cause fluorescence quenching and conformational changes in BSA and IgG, indicating that both the physicochemical properties of MWCNTs and protein properties play critical roles in determining their adsorption behavior. Further study showed time-dependent increases in MWCNT cellular uptake and internalization. Hydrophobicity is the major factor increasing cellular uptake of pristine MWCNTs, but a protein corona enriched with dysoposnins is the main factor reducing uptake of MWCNT-COOH by RAW264.7 cells. The cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory response related to physicochemical properties of MWCNTs, and frustrated phagocytosis is a key initiating event in the pro-inflammatory response of MWCNT-exposed macrophages.

CONCLUSION

These findings shed light on how functionalized MWCNTs interact with protein coronas and provide useful insight into the dramatic effect of protein coronas on different functionalized MWCNTs. These events affect cellular uptake and cytotoxicity, which could inform how to enhance MWCNT biocompatibility and develop approaches for managing MWCNT hazards.

Carbon nanotubes physicochemical properties influence the overall cellular behavior and fate

The unique properties of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) make them viable candidates for versatile implementation in the next generation of biomedical devices for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents or cellular-sensing probes. Such implementation requires user-tailored changes in SWCNT's physicochemical characteristics to allow for efficient cellular integration while maintaining nanotubes' functionality. However, isolated reports showed that user-tailoring could induce deleterious effects in exposed cells, from decrease in cellular proliferation, to changes in cellular adhesion, generation of reactive oxygen species or phenotypical variations, just to name a few. Before full implementation of SWCNTs is achieved, their toxicological profiles need to be mechanistically correlated with their physicochemical properties to determine how the induced cellular fate is related to the exposure conditions or samples' characteristics. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the synergistic cyto- and genotoxic effects resulted from short-term exposure of human lung epithelial cells to pristine (as manufactured) and user-tailored SWCNTs, as a function of their physicochemical properties. Specifically, through a systematic approach we are correlating the nanotube uptake and nanotube-induced cellular changes to the sample's physicochemical characteristics (e.g., metal impurities, length, agglomerate size, surface area, dispersion, and surface functionalization). By identifying changes in active hallmarks involved in cell-cell connections and maintaining epithelial layer integrity, we also determine the role that short-term exposure to SWCNTs plays in the overall cellular fate and cellular transformation. Lastly, we assess cellular structure-function relationships to identify non-apoptotic pathways induced by SWCNTs exposure that could however lead to changes in cellular behavior and cellular transformation. Our results show that the degree of cell transformation is a function of the physicochemical properties of the SWCNT, with the nanotube with higher length, higher metal content and larger agglomerate size reducing cell viability to a larger extent. Such changes in cell viability are also complemented by changes in cell structure, cycle and cell-cell interactions, all responsible for maintaining cell fate.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide, multiwalled carbon nantoubes, and the combination on lung alveolar epithelial cells

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been shown to induce lung fibrosis in animal models, however the underlying molecular factors/mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), MWCNT, and the combination of LPS and MWCNT on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-9, MMP-12), collagen 3A1 (Col3A1), and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) in alveolar epithelial A549 cells. MMPs are proteinases that degrade extracellular matrix and play a role in lung fibrosis. A549 cells were exposed to LPS (1 ng/mL), MWCNT (20 μg/mL), and the combination and analyzed for paracellular permeability, TGFβ, Col3A1, MMP-9, MMP-12, NF-κB activation, and cell migration by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. LPS, the combination of LPS and MWCNT, and MWCNT only at the highest tested dose induced blue dextran extravasation. LPS and MWCNT increased the expression of TGFβ and its downstream target gene Col3A, and MMP-9 and MMP-12 mRNA. MWCNT potently induced cell migration toward wound healing, whereas LPS slightly induced cell migration. Both, LPS and MWCNT, induced NF-κB nuclear translocation. Our results indicate that MWCNT activated alveolar epithelial cells to promote fibrogenesis, and that LPS differentially primes molecular factors involved in lung remodeling. These findings suggest a role of alveolar epithelial cells in fibrogenesis and also may aid in the design and development of tests for screening of fibrogenic agents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 445-455, 2017.

Specific biological responses of the synovial membrane to carbon nanotubes

Biological evaluation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is typically performed in the lung or abdominal cavity; however, biological reactions to CNTs are predicted to be markedly different in other tissues. In applications of CNTs as reinforcement for artificial joints and drug delivery systems, including their use in bone regeneration, the intra-articular synovial membrane makes contact with the CNTs. Herein, we analyzed the reaction of the synovial membrane with multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs). Injection of MWCNTs into rat knee joints revealed their dose-dependent incorporation into deep synovial membranes and the formation of granulation tissue, without long-term inflammation. MWCNTs were incorporated into human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLSs), with less cytotoxicity than that observed in macrophages (RAW264 cells). Moreover, MWCNTs inhibited the release of cytokines and chemokines from HFLSs. The reaction of the synovial membrane with MWCNTs differed from that observed in other tissues; thus, detailed biological evaluation at each target site is necessary for clinical applications.

Carboxylation of multiwalled carbon nanotube attenuated the cytotoxicity by limiting the oxidative stress initiated cell membrane integrity damage, cell cycle arrestment, and death receptor mediated apoptotic pathway

In this study, the effects of carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) on human normal liver cell line L02 was compared with that of pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNTs). It was shown that compared with MWCNTs-COOH, p-MWCNTs induced apoptosis, reduced the level of intracellular antioxidant glutathione more significantly, and caused severer cell membrane damage as demonstrated by lactate dehydrogenase leakage. Cell cycles were arrested by both MWCNTs, while p-MWCNTs induced higher ratio of G0/G1 phase arrestment as compared with MWCNTs-COOH. Caspase-8 was also activated after both MWCNTs exposure, indicating extrinsic apoptotic pathway was involved in the apoptosis induced by MWCNTs exposure, more importantly, MWCNTs-COOH significantly reduced the activation of caspase-8 as compared with p-MWCNTs. All these results suggested that MWCNTs-COOH might be safer for in vivo application as compared with p-MWCNTs.

Graphene-based nanomaterials for versatile imaging studies

This review highlights recent applications of graphene-based nanomaterials for various types of imaging studies.

A secretomics analysis reveals major differences in the macrophage responses towards different types of carbon nanotubes

Certain types of carbon nanotubes (CNT) can evoke inflammation, fibrosis and mesothelioma in vivo, raising concerns about their potential health effects. It has been recently postulated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is important in the CNT-induced toxicity. However, more comprehensive studies of the protein secretion induced by CNT can provide new information about their possible pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we studied protein secretion from human macrophages with a proteomic approach in an unbiased way. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were exposed to tangled or rigid, long multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) or crocidolite asbestos for 6 h. The growth media was concentrated and secreted proteins were analyzed using 2D-DIGE and DeCyder software. Subsequently, significantly up- or down-regulated protein spots were in-gel digested and identified with an LC-MS/MS approach. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to reveal the different patterns of protein secretion induced by these materials. The results show that both long rigid MWCNT and asbestos elicited ample and highly similar protein secretion. In contrast, exposure to long tangled MWCNT induced weaker protein secretion with a more distinct profile. Secretion of lysosomal proteins followed the exposure to all materials, suggesting lysosomal damage. However, only long rigid MWCNT was associated with apoptosis. This analysis suggests that the CNT toxicity in human MDM is mediated via vigorous secretion of inflammation-related proteins and apoptosis. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of toxicity of high aspect ratio nanomaterials and indicates that not all types of CNT are as hazardous as asbestos fibers.

Carbon nanotubes: an emerging drug carrier for targeting cancer cells

During recent years carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been attracted by many researchers as a drug delivery carrier. CNTs are the third allotropic form of carbon-fullerenes which were rolled into cylindrical tubes. To be integrated into the biological systems, CNTs can be chemically modified or functionalised with therapeutically active molecules by forming stable covalent bonds or supramolecular assemblies based on noncovalent interactions. Owing to their high carrying capacity, biocompatibility, and specificity to cells, various cancer cells have been explored with CNTs for evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters, cell viability, cytotoxicty, and drug delivery in tumor cells. This review attempts to highlight all aspects of CNTs which render them as an effective anticancer drug carrier and imaging agent. Also the potential application of CNT in targeting metastatic cancer cells by entrapping biomolecules and anticancer drugs has been covered in this review.

L-diphenylalanine microtubes as a potential drug-delivery system: characterization, release kinetics, and cytotoxicity

Microtubes obtained from the self-assembly of L-diphenylalanine (FF-MTs) were evaluated as potential vehicles for drug delivery. The biological marker Rhodamine B (RhB) was chosen as a model drug and conjugated to the peptide arrays during self-organization in the liquid phase. Microscopy and X-ray studies were performed to provide morphological and structural information. The data revealed that the cargo was distributed either in small aggregates at the hydrophobic surface of the FF-MTs or homogeneously embedded in the structure, presumably anchored at polar sites in the matrix. Raman spectroscopy revealed notable shifts of the characteristic RhB resonance peaks, demonstrating the successful conjugation of the fluorophore and peptide assemblies. In vitro assays were conducted in erythrocytes and fibroblast cells. Interestingly, FF-MTs were found to modulate the release of the load. The release of RhB from the FF-MTs followed first-order kinetics with a steady-state profile, demonstrating the potential of these carriers to deliver drugs at constant rates in the body. Cytotoxicity investigations revealed high cell viability up to concentrations of 5 mg mL(-1), demonstrating the low toxicity of the FF-MTs.