Abstract
Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have become the focus of increased research interest, particularly in their application as tools in different areas, such as the biomedical field. Despite the benefits associated with functionalization of MWCNT, particularly in overcoming issues relating to solubility, several studies have demonstrated that these functionalized nanoparticles display different toxicity profiles. For this study, we aim to compare NR8383 cells responses to three well-characterized MWCNT with varying functional groups. This study employed cytotoxicity assays, transcriptomics and proteomics to assess their toxicity using NR8383 rat alveolar macrophages as an in vitro model. The study findings indicated that all MWCNT altered ribosomal protein translation, cytoskeleton arrangement and induced pro-inflammatory response. Only functionalized MWCNT alter mTOR signaling pathway in conjunction with increased Lamtor gene expression. Furthermore, the type of functionalization was also important, with cationic MWCNT activating the transcription factor EB and inducing autophagy while the anionic MWCNT altering eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 (EIF4) and phosphoprotein 70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling pathway as well as upregulation Tlr2 gene expression. This study proposes that MWCNT toxicity mechanisms are functionalization dependent and provides evidence that inflammatory response is a key event of carbon nanotubes toxicity.
Highlights
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are increasingly used in different sectors including the biomedical one due to their distinctive properties
All multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) studied in the media with 2% FBS displayed similar Z-average
According to the presented results of this study, all three MWCNT lead to inflammatory response and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which could potentially function as a biomarker of toxicity for all MWCNT
Summary
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are increasingly used in different sectors including the biomedical one due to their distinctive properties. In the last few years, 736 metric tons of these CNT, were used for energy and environmental applications, with these figures constantly increasing over time [1]. The global market of CNT is estimated to grow from USD 4.55 billion in 2018 to an estimated USD 9.84 billion by 2023 [2]. Exposure to CNT has become a major environmental issue and a potential human health risk. The main route by which CNT enter the environment is through biomechanical degradation or combustion of nanocomposites-based products leading to air contamination [3, 4].
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