Effects of functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of surface functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) on the cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). Methods Five different types of MWCNTs (hydroxylated, carboxylated, aminated, nickel-plated and pristine MWCNTs (P-MWCNTs)) with the same diameter and length were evaluated the dispersion and characterizations in physiological salt solution by transmission electron microscopy. PBMC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from human peripheral blood, and 5 types of MWCNTs were ultrasonically dispersed in serum-containing medium respectively. After incubation with PBMC for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h, cytotoxicity was detected by CCK-8 kits. Results All the MWCNTs had well dispersion, especially the F-MWCNTs. Cytotoxicity results showed that all types of MWCNTs could induced PBMC death, and presented dose-dependence manner and a certain degree of time-dependence manner. Compared with the P-MWCNTs, F-MWCNTs changed cytotoxicity statistically, with the hydroxylated, carboxylated, aminated MWCNTs weakened, aminated MWCNTs significant (P<0.05), nevertheless the nickel-plated MWCNTs increased. Compared with the P-MWCNTs (25 μg/ml), cell viability of PBMC after 24 and 48 h incubation with the same dose of nickel-plated MWCNTs both decreased, and the differences was statistically significant (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusions The functional group modification affects not only the MWCNTs dispersion in medium, but also the cytotoxicity of the MWCNTs on PBMC. Key words: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell; Cytotoxicity; Functionalization