Proteins of the innate immune system crystallize on carbon nanotubes but are not activated

Activation of the complement system by nanoparticles and strategies for complement inhibition

The complement system is a multicomponent and multifunctional arm of the innate immune system. Complement contributes to non-specific host defence and maintains homeostasis through multifaceted processes and pathways, including crosstalk with the adaptive immune system, the contact (coagulation) and the kinin systems, and alarmin high-mobility group box 1. Complement is also present intracellularly, orchestrating a wide range of housekeeping and physiological processes in both immune and nonimmune cells, thus showing its more sophisticated roles beyond innate immunity, but its roles are still controversial. Particulate drug carriers and nanopharmaceuticals typically present architectures and surface patterns that trigger complement system in different ways, resulting in both beneficial and adverse responses depending on the extent of complement activation and regulation as well as pathophysiological circumstances. Here we consider the role of complement system and complement regulations in host defence and evaluate the mechanisms by which nanoparticles trigger and modulate complement responses. Effective strategies for the prevention of nanoparticle-mediated complement activation are introduced and discussed.

Perspectives on complement and phagocytic cell responses to nanoparticles: From fundamentals to adverse reactions

The complement system, professional phagocytes and other cells such as Natural killer cells and mast cells are among the important components of the innate arm of the immune system. These constituents provide an orchestrated array of defences and responses against tissue injury and foreign particles, including nanopharmaceuticals. While interception of nanopharmaceuticals by the immune system is beneficial for immunomodulation and treatment of phagocytic cell disorders, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted mechanisms by which nanopharmaceuticals interacts with the immune system and evaluate the subsequent balance of beneficial versus adverse reactions. An example of the latter is adverse infusion reactions to regulatory-approved nanopharmaceuticals seen in human subjects. Here, we discuss collective opinions and findings from our laboratories in mapping nanoparticle-mediated complement and leucocyte/macrophage responses.

Mechanically Strong, Thermally Stable Gas Barrier Polyimide Membranes Derived from Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanofluids

Gas barrier membranes with impressive moisture permeability are highly demanded in air or nature gas dehumidification. We report a novel approach using polyetheramine oligomers covalently grafted on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to engineer liquid-like CNT nanofluids (CNT NFs), which are incorporated into a polyimide matrix to enhance the gas barrier and moisture permeation properties. Benefiting from the featured liquid-like characteristic of CNT NFs, a strong interfacial compatibility between CNTs and the polyimide matrix is achieved, and thus, the resulting membranes exhibit high heat resistance and desirable mechanical strength as well as remarkable fracture toughness, beneficially to withstanding creep, impact, and stress fatigue in separation applications. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements indicate a significant decrease in fractional free volume within the resulting membranes, leading to greatly enhanced gas barrier properties while almost showing full retention of moisture permeability compared to that of the pristine membrane. For membranes with 10 wt % CNT NFs, the gas transmission rates, respectively, decrease 99.9% for CH₄, 94.4% for CO₂, 99.2% for N₂, and 97.9% for O₂ compared with that of the pristine membrane. Most importantly, with the increasing amount of CNT NFs, the hybrid membranes demonstrate a simultaneous increase of barrier performance and permselectivity for H₂O/CH₄, H₂O/N₂, H₂O/CO₂, and H₂O/O₂. All these results make these membranes potential candidates for high-pressure natural gas or hyperthermal air dehydration.

Hemocompatibility of Carbon Nanostructures

Carbon nanostructures (CNs), such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, carbon dots, nanodiamonds as well as graphene and its derivatives present a tremendous potential for various biomedical applications, ranging from sensing to drug delivery and gene therapy, biomedical imaging and tissue engineering. Since most of these applications encompass blood contact or intravenous injection, hemocompatibility is a critical aspect that must be carefully considered to take advantage of CN exceptional characteristics while allowing their safe use. This review discusses the hemocompatibility of different classes of CNs with the purpose of providing biomaterial scientists with a comprehensive vision of the interactions between CNs and blood components. The various complex mechanisms involved in blood compatibility, including coagulation, hemolysis, as well as the activation of complement, platelets, and leukocytes will be considered. Special attention will be paid to the role of CN size, structure, and surface properties in the formation of the protein corona and in the processes that drive blood response. The aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of hemocompatibility for CNs intended for biomedical applications and to provide some valuable insights for the development of new generation particles with improved performance and safety in the physiological environment.

The Interplay Between Blood Proteins, Complement, and Macrophages on Nanomedicine Performance and Responses

In the blood, depending on their physicochemical characteristics, nanoparticles attract a wide range of plasma biomolecules. The majority of blood biomolecules bind nonspecifically to nanoparticles. On the other hand, biomolecules such as pattern-recognition complement-sensing proteins may recognize some structural determinants of the pristine surface, causing complement activation. Adsorption of nonspecific blood proteins could also recruit natural antibodies and initiate complement activation, and this seems to be a global process with many preclinical and clinical nanomedicines. We discuss these issues, since complement activation has ramifications in nanomedicine stability and pharmacokinetics, as well as in inflammation and disease progression. Some studies have also predicted a role for complement systems in infusion-related reactions, whereas others show a direct role for macrophages and other immune cells independent of complement activation. We comment on these discrepancies and suggest directions for exploring the underlying mechanisms.

Cellular Toxicity and Immunological Effects of Carbon-based Nanomaterials

BACKGROUND

Carbon nanomaterials are a growing family of materials featuring unique physicochemical properties, and their widespread application is accompanied by increasing human exposure.

MAIN BODY

Considerable efforts have been made to characterize the potential toxicity of carbon nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo. Many studies have reported various toxicology profiles of carbon nanomaterials. The different results of the cytotoxicity of the carbon-based materials might be related to the differences in the physicochemical properties or structures of carbon nanomaterials, types of target cells and methods of particle dispersion, etc. The reported cytotoxicity effects mainly included reactive oxygen species generation, DNA damage, lysosomal damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and eventual cell death via apoptosis or necrosis. Despite the cellular toxicity, the immunological effects of the carbon-based nanomaterials, such as the pulmonary macrophage activation and inflammation induced by carbon nanomaterials, have been thoroughly studied. The roles of carbon nanomaterials in activating different immune cells or inducing immunosuppression have also been addressed.

CONCLUSION

Here, we provide a review of the latest research findings on the toxicological profiles of carbon-based nanomaterials, highlighting both the cellular toxicities and immunological effects of carbon nanomaterials. This review provides information on the overall status, trends, and research needs for toxicological studies of carbon nanomaterials.

Surface Characteristics Control the Attachment and Functionality of (Chimeric) Avidin

The physical adsorption (physisorption) of proteins to surfaces is an important but incompletely understood factor in many biological processes and is of increasing significance in bionanotechnology as well. Avidin is an important protein because of strong avidin-biotin binding, which has been exploited in numerous applications. We have undertaken thorough experimentation on the physisorption of avidin, to chemically different flat surfaces of Si and graphite and also to the curved version of the latter, on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) of different diameters. The difference in the behavior of avidin on Si versus graphite is drastic; on Si, avidin deposits as single globular tetrameric units and maintains functionality, whereas on graphite, it forms irregular networks of two-layer thick filaments, where the first layer has lost its biological activity. On MWNTs, avidin also deposits as one-dimensional formations, or stripes, but these appear to order in a perpendicular arrangement to the MWNT axis. A better understanding of protein-surface interactions is essential for the development of robust and reliable methods for biofunctionalization of materials. This work also provides insights into the importance of the nanoscale surface architecture.

Recognition protein C1q of innate immunity agglutinates nanodiamonds without activating complement

Nanodiamonds are promising nanomedicines for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. As nanodiamonds are mainly administered intravenously, it is critical to understand the humoral immune response upon exposure to nanodiamonds. Here, we report the interactions of pristine, oxidized, and PEG-functionalized nanodiamonds with human complement, an important part of our humoral innate immunity. In particular, we report the nanodiamond binding properties of the recognition protein of the classical complement pathway: C1q, which also takes part in many other physiological and pathological processes. Our results show similar trends in the effects of C1q on the three types of nanodiamonds. Complement activation assays using human serum show that the nanodiamonds trigger slight activities via the alternative pathway and no response via the classical pathway. Nevertheless, surface plasmon resonance shows that C1q binds the nanodiamonds and transmission electron microscopy reveals their agglutination. Studies with macrophages further show that C1q attachment affects their phagocytosis and cytokine response.

Mode of PEG Coverage on Carbon Nanotubes Affects Binding of Innate Immune Protein C1q

Surface modification of nanoparticles with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is used in biomedicine to increase the circulation time of the particles after intravenous injection. Here, we study the interaction of PEG-covered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the serum complement protein C1q. Besides being the target-recognizing unit of the initiating complex for the classical pathway of complement in our innate immune system, C1q is involved in a range of important physiological processes. We modified the surface of multiwalled CNTs with covalently grafted PEG and physically adsorbed PEG. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the interaction of these PEG-coated CNTs with C1q. We found abundant C1q coverage on the PEG-grafted CNTs but not on the CNTs with adsorbed PEG. We tested the ability of these CNTs to activate the complement system using in vitro complement activation assays. None of the CNTs studied activated the C1q-dependent classical complement pathway. These findings are pertinent to the safe design and novel biomedical applications of PEGylated CNTs.

Interactions of the innate immune system with carbon nanotubes

The therapeutic application of nanomaterials requires that they are biocompatible and can reach the desired target. The innate immune system is likely to be the first defence machinery that would recognise the nanomaterials as 'non-self'. A number of studies have addressed the issue of how carbon nanotubes (CNTs) interact with phagocytic cells and their surface receptors that can impact on their intracellular processing and subsequent immune response. In addition, soluble innate immune factors also get involved in the recognition and clearance of CNTs. The interaction of CNTs with the complement system, the most potent and versatile innate immune mechanism, has shed interesting light on how complement activation on the surface of CNTs can modulate their phagocytosis and effector cytokine response. The charge or altered molecular pattern on the surface of CNTs due to functionalization and derivatization can also dictate the level of complement activation and subsequent inflammatory response. It is becoming evident that complement deposition may facilitate phagocytic uptake of CNTs through receptor routes that leads to dampening of pro-inflammatory response by complement-receptor bearing macrophages and B cells. Thus, recombinant complement regulators decorated on the CNT surface can constructively influence the therapeutic strategies involving CNTs and other nanoparticles.

Human Immune Protein C1q Selectively Disaggregates Carbon Nanotubes

We atomistically compute the change in free energy upon binding of the globular domain of the complement protein C1q to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene in solution. Our modeling results imply that C1q is able to disaggregate and disperse bundles of large diameter multiwalled CNTs but not those of thin single-walled CNTs, and we validate this prediction with experimental observations. The results support the view of a strong binding with potential implications for the understanding of the immune response and biomedical applications of graphitic nanomaterials.

Development of functionalized multi-walled carbon-nanotube-based alginate hydrogels for enabling biomimetic technologies

Alginate is a hydrogel commonly used for cell culture by ionically crosslinking in the presence of divalent Ca(2+) ions. However these alginate gels are mechanically unstable, not permitting their use as scaffolds to engineer robust biological bone, breast, cardiac or tumor tissues. This issue can be addressed via encapsulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) serving as a reinforcing phase while being dispersed in a continuous phase of alginate. We hypothesized that adding functionalized MWCNT to alginate, would yield composite gels with distinctively different mechanical, physical and biological characteristics in comparison to alginate alone. Resultant MWCNT-alginate gels were porous, and showed significantly less degradation after 14 days compared to alginate alone. In vitro cell-studies showed enhanced HeLa cell adhesion and proliferation on the MWCNT-alginate compared to alginate. The extent of cell proliferation was greater when cultured atop 1 and 3 mg/ml MWCNT-alginate; although all MWCNT-alginates lead to enhanced cell cluster formation compared to alginate alone. Among all the MWCNT-alginates, the 1 mg/ml gels showed significantly greater stiffness compared to all other cases. These results provide an important basis for the development of the MWCNT-alginates as novel substrates for cell culture applications, cell therapy and tissue engineering.

Reductively PEGylated carbon nanomaterials and their use to nucleate 3D protein crystals: a comparison of dimensionality

A range of carbon nanomaterials, with varying dimensionality, were dispersed by a non-damaging and versatile chemical reduction route, and subsequently grafted by reaction with methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) monobromides. The use of carbon nanomaterials with different geometries provides both a systematic comparison of surface modification chemistry and the opportunity to study factors affecting specific applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, single-walled carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoplatelets, exfoliated few layer graphite and carbon black were functionalized with mPEG-Br, yielding grafting ratios relative to the nanocarbon framework between ca. 7 and 135 wt%; the products were characterised by Raman spectroscopy, TGA-MS, and electron microscopy. The functionalized materials were tested as nucleants by subjecting them to rigorous protein crystallization studies. Sparsely functionalized flat sheet geometries proved exceptionally effective at inducing crystallization of six proteins. This new class of nucleant, based on PEG grafted graphene-related materials, can be widely applied to promote the growth of 3D crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography. The association of the protein ferritin with functionalized exfoliated few layer graphite was directly visualized by transmission electron microscopy, illustrating the formation of ordered clusters of protein molecules critical to successful nucleation.

Under the lens: carbon nanotube and protein interaction at the nanoscale

The combination of the very different chemical natures of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and proteins gives rise to systems with unprecedented performance, thanks to a rich pool of very diverse chemical, electronic, catalytic and biological properties. Here we review recent advances in the field, including innovative and imaginative aspects from a nanoscale point of view. The tubular nature of CNTs allows for internal protein encapsulation, and also for their external coating by protein cages, affording bottom-up ordering of molecules in hierarchical structures. To achieve such complex systems it is imperative to master the intermolecular forces between CNTs and proteins, including geometry effects (e.g. CNT diameter and curvature) and how they translate into changes in the local environment (e.g. water entropy). The type of interaction between proteins and CNTs has important consequences for the preservation of their structure and, in turn, function. This key aspect cannot be neglected during the design of their conjugation, be it covalent, non-covalent, or based on a combination of both methods. The review concludes with a brief discussion of the very many applications intended for CNT-protein systems that go across various fields of science, from industrial biocatalysis to nanomedicine, from innovative materials to biotechnological tools in molecular biology research.

Innate immune humoral factors, C1q and factor H, with differential pattern recognition properties, alter macrophage response to carbon nanotubes

Interaction between the complement system and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can modify their intended biomedical applications. Pristine and derivatised CNTs can activate complement primarily via the classical pathway which enhances uptake of CNTs and suppresses pro-inflammatory response by immune cells. Here, we report that the interaction of C1q, the classical pathway recognition molecule, with CNTs involves charge pattern and classical pathway activation that is partly inhibited by factor H, a complement regulator. C1q and its globular modules, but not factor H, enhanced uptake of CNTs by macrophages and modulated the pro-inflammatory immune response. Thus, soluble complement factors can interact differentially with CNTs and alter the immune response even without complement activation. Coating CNTs with recombinant C1q globular heads offers a novel way of controlling classical pathway activation in nanotherapeutics. Surprisingly, the globular heads also enhance clearance by phagocytes and down-regulate inflammation, suggesting unexpected complexity in receptor interaction.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) maybe useful in the clinical setting as targeting drug carriers. However, it is also well known that they can interact and activate the complement system, which may have a negative impact on the applicability of CNTs. In this study, the authors functionalized multi-walled CNT (MWNT), and investigated the interaction with the complement pathway. These studies are important so as to gain further understanding of the underlying mechanism in preparation for future use of CNTs in the clinical setting.

Value of phagocyte function screening for immunotoxicity of nanoparticles in vivo

Nanoparticles (NPs) present in the environment and in consumer products can cause immunotoxic effects. The immune system is very complex, and in vivo studies are the gold standard for evaluation. Due to the increased amount of NPs that are being developed, cellular screening assays to decrease the amount of NPs that have to be tested in vivo are highly needed. Effects on the unspecific immune system, such as effects on phagocytes, might be suitable for screening for immunotoxicity because these cells mediate unspecific and specific immune responses. They are present at epithelial barriers, in the blood, and in almost all organs. This review summarizes the effects of carbon, metal, and metal oxide NPs used in consumer and medical applications (gold, silver, titanium dioxide, silica dioxide, zinc oxide, and carbon nanotubes) and polystyrene NPs on the immune system. Effects in animal exposures through different routes are compared to the effects on isolated phagocytes. In addition, general problems in the testing of NPs, such as unknown exposure doses, as well as interference with assays are mentioned. NPs appear to induce a specific immunotoxic pattern consisting of the induction of inflammation in normal animals and aggravation of pathologies in disease models. The evaluation of particle action on several phagocyte functions in vitro may provide an indication on the potency of the particles to induce immunotoxicity in vivo. In combination with information on realistic exposure levels, in vitro studies on phagocytes may provide useful information on the health risks of NPs.

Dragging human mesenchymal stem cells with the aid of supramolecular assemblies of single-walled carbon nanotubes, molecular magnets, and peptides in a magnetic field

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are an attractive cell source for therapeutic applicability in diverse fields for the repair and regeneration of damaged or malfunctioning tissues and organs. There is a growing number of cell therapies using stem cells due to their characteristics of modulation of immune system and reduction of acute rejection. So a challenge in stem cells therapy is the delivery of cells to the organ of interest, a specific site. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of a supramolecular assembly composed of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), molecular magnets (lawsone-Co-phenanthroline), and a synthetic peptide (FWYANHYWFHNAFWYANHYWFHNA) in the hASCs cultures. The hASCs were isolated, characterized, expanded, and cultured with the SWCNT supramolecular assembly (SWCNT-MA). The assembly developed did not impair the cell characteristics, viability, or proliferation. During growth, the cells were strongly attached to the assembly and they could be dragged by an applied magnetic field of less than 0.3 T. These assemblies were narrower than their related allotropic forms, that is, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and they could therefore be used to guide cells through thin blood capillaries within the human body. This strategy seems to be useful as noninvasive and nontoxic stem cells delivery/guidance and tracking during cell therapy.

Deciphering the fine details of c1 assembly and activation mechanisms: "mission impossible"?

The classical complement pathway is initiated by the large (~800 kDa) and flexible multimeric C1 complex. Its catalytic function is triggered by the proteases hetero-tetramer C1r2s2, which is associated to the C1q sensing unit, a complex assembly of 18 chains built as a hexamer of heterotrimers. Initial pioneering studies gained insights into the main architectural principles of the C1 complex. A dissection strategy then provided the high-resolution structures of its main functional and/or structural building blocks, as well as structural details on some key protein–protein interactions. These past and current discoveries will be briefly summed up in order to address the question of what is still ill-defined. On a functional point of view, the main molecular determinants of C1 activation and its tight control will be delineated. The current perspective remains to decipher how C1 really works and is controlled in vivo, both in normal and pathological settings.

The effect of protein corona composition on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with human blood platelets

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one of the most promising nanomaterials for use in medicine. The blood biocompatibility of CNT is a critical safety issue. In the bloodstream, proteins bind to CNT through non-covalent interactions to form a protein corona, thereby largely defining the biological properties of the CNT. Here, we characterize the interactions of carboxylated-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTCOOH) with common human proteins and investigate the effect of the different protein coronas on the interaction of CNTCOOH with human blood platelets (PLT). Molecular modeling and different photophysical techniques were employed to characterize the binding of albumin (HSA), fibrinogen (FBG), γ-globulins (IgG) and histone H1 (H1) on CNTCOOH. We found that the identity of protein forming the corona greatly affects the outcome of CNTCOOH's interaction with blood PLT. Bare CNTCOOH-induced PLT aggregation and the release of platelet membrane microparticles (PMP). HSA corona attenuated the PLT aggregating activity of CNTCOOH, while FBG caused the agglomeration of CNTCOOH nanomaterial, thereby diminishing the effect of CNTCOOH on PLT. In contrast, the IgG corona caused PLT fragmentation, and the H1 corona induced a strong PLT aggregation, thus potentiating the release of PMP.

Stealth nanotubes: strategies of shielding carbon nanotubes to evade opsonization and improve biodistribution

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently been in the limelight for their potential role in disease diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as in tissue engineering. Before these medical applications can be realized, there is a need to address issues like opsonization, phagocytosis by macrophages, and sequestration to the liver and spleen for eventual elimination from the body; along with equally important issues such as aqueous solubility, dispersion, biocompatibility, and biofunctionalization. CNTs have not been shown to be able to evade such biological obstacles, which include their nonspecific attachments to cells and other biological components in the bloodstream, before reaching target tissues and cells in vivo. This will eventually determine their longevity in circulation and clearance rate from the body. This review article discusses the current status, challenges, practical strategies, and implementations of coating CNTs with biocompatible and opsonin-resistant moieties, rendering CNTs transparent to opsonins and deceiving the innate immune response to make believe that the CNTs are not foreign. A holistic approach to the development of such "stealth" CNTs is presented, which encompasses not only several biophysicochemical factors that are not limited to surface treatment of CNTs, but also extraneous biological factors such as the protein corona formation that inevitably controls the in vivo fate of the particles. This review also discusses the present and potential applications, along with the future directions, of CNTs and their hybrid-based nanotheranostic agents for multiplex, multimodal molecular imaging and therapy, as well as in other applications, such as drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Determinants of carbon nanotube toxicity

In the last few years questions have been raised regarding the potential toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to humans and environment. It is believed that the physico-chemical characteristics of these materials are key determinants of CNT interaction with living organisms, and hence determine their toxicity. As for other nanomaterials, the most important of these characteristics are the length, diameter, surface area, tendency to agglomerate, bio-durability, presence and nature of catalyst residues as well as chemical functionalization of the CNT. This review highlights the recent advancements in the understanding of the CNT properties which are essential in determining CNT toxicity. Hence the focus is on CNT dimensions, surface properties, bio-durability and corona formation as these fields have evolved greatly in recent years. A deeper understanding of these events and their underlying mechanisms could provide a molecular explanation of the biological and physiological responses following CNT administration and therefore help in the development of safe by design materials.

When carbon nanotubes encounter the immune system: desirable and undesirable effects

The role of our immune system is to bring efficient protection against invasion by foreign elements, not only pathogens but also any material it may be in contact with. Nanoparticles may enter the body and encounter the immune system either intentionally (e.g. administration for biomedical application) or not (e.g. respiratory occupational exposure). Therefore, it is of fundamental importance to get a thorough knowledge of the way they interact with immune cells and all related consequences. Among nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of special interest because of their tremendous field of applications. Consequently, their increasing production, processing and eventual incorporation into new types of composites and/or into biological systems have raised fundamental issues regarding their potential impact on health. This review aims at giving an overview of the known desirable and undesirable effects of CNTs on the immune system, i.e. beneficial modulation of immune cells by CNTs engineered for biomedical applications versus toxicity, inflammation and unwanted immune reactions triggered by CNTs themselves.

Hemotoxicity of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes may enter into the bloodstream and interact with blood components indirectly via translocation following unintended exposure or directly after an intended administration for biomedical purposes. Once introduced into systemic circulation, nanotubes will encounter various proteins, biomolecules or cells which have specific roles in the homeostasis of the circulatory system. It is therefore essential to determine whether those interactions will lead to adverse effects or not. Advances in the understanding of how carbon nanotubes interact with blood proteins, the complement system, red blood cells and the hemostatic system are reviewed in this article. While many studies on carbon nanotube health risk assessment and their biomedical applications have appeared in the last few years, reports on the hemocompatibility of these nanomaterials remain surprisingly limited. Yet, defining the hemotoxicological profile is a mandatory step toward the development of clinically-relevant medications or contrast agents based on carbon nanotubes.

Mechanisms of carbon nanotube-induced toxicity: focus on pulmonary inflammation

Carbon nanotubes have gained tremendous interest in a wide range of applications due to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. Needless to say, close attention to the potential toxicity of carbon nanotubes is of paramount importance. Numerous studies have linked exposure of carbon nanotubes to the induction of inflammation, a complex protective response to harmful stimuli including pathogens, damaged or dying cells, and other irritants. However, inflammation is a double-edged sword as chronic inflammation can lead to destruction of tissues thus compromising the homeostasis of the organism. Here, we provide an overview of the process of inflammation, the key cells and the soluble mediators involved, and discuss research on carbon nanotubes and inflammation, including recent studies on the activation of the so-called inflammasome complex in macrophages resulting in secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, recent work has shown that inflammatory cells i.e. neutrophils and eosinophils are capable of enzymatic degradation of carbon nanotubes, with mitigation of the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic effects of nanotubes thus underscoring that inflammation is both good and bad.

Are carbon nanotubes a natural solution? Applications in biology and medicine

Carbon nanotubes and materials based on carbon nanotubes have many perceived applications in the field of biomedicine. Several highly promising examples have been highlighted in the literature, ranging from their use as growth substrates or tissue scaffolds to acting as intracellular transporters for various therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In addition, carbon nanotubes have a strong optical absorption in the near-infrared region (in which tissue is transparent), which enables their use for biological imaging applications and photothermal ablation of tumors. Although these advances are potentially game-changing, excitement must be tempered somewhat as several bottlenecks exist. Carbon nanotube-based technologies ultimately have to compete with and out-perform existing technologies in terms of performance and price. Moreover, issues have been highlighted relating to toxicity, which presents an obstacle for the transition from preclinical to clinical use. Although many studies have suggested that well-functionalized carbon nanotubes appear to be safe to the treated animals, mainly rodents, long-term toxicity issues remains to be elucidated. In this report, we systematically highlight some of the most promising biomedical application areas of carbon nanotubes and review the interaction of carbon nanotubes with cultured cells and living organisms with a particular focus on in vivo biodistribution and potential adverse health effects. To conclude, future challenges and prospects of carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications will be addressed.

Single-walled carbon nanotube surface control of complement recognition and activation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are receiving considerable attention in site-specific drug and nucleic acid delivery, photodynamic therapy, and photoacoustic molecular imaging. Despite these advances, nanotubes may activate the complement system (an integral part of innate immunity), which can induce clinically significant anaphylaxis. We demonstrate that single-walled CNTs coated with human serum albumin activate the complement system through C1q-mediated classical and the alternative pathways. Surface coating with methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-based amphiphiles, which confers solubility and prolongs circulation profiles of CNTs, activates the complement system differently, depending on the amphiphile structure. CNTs with linear poly(ethylene glycol) amphiphiles trigger the lectin pathway of the complement through both L-ficolin and mannan-binding lectin recognition. The lectin pathway activation, however, did not trigger the amplification loop of the alternative pathway. An amphiphile with branched poly(ethylene glycol) architecture also activated the lectin pathway but only through L-ficolin recognition. Importantly, this mode of activation neither generated anaphylatoxins nor induced triggering of the effector arm of the complement system. These observations provide a major step toward nanomaterial surface modification with polymers that have the properties to significantly improve innate immunocompatibility by limiting the formation of complement C3 and C5 convertases.

Perspectives on carbon nanotube-mediated adverse immune effects

Carbon nanotubes are entities of different morphology and aspect ratios with anisotropic character. Due to their unique electronic, photonic, mechanical and chemical properties, carbon nanotubes are receiving increasing attention in nanomedicine research where examples include site-specific drug and nucleic acid delivery, photodynamic therapy and photoacoustic molecular imaging. The interaction of carbon nanotubes with the immune system, which plays a key role in the recognition and elimination of foreign materials, and consequential responses, is of central importance for the proposed successful biomedical applications of nanotubes. Research in this avenue, however, is scant and the limited available data are rather contradictory. In this progress article we have collected some of the most important experimental results obtained thus far on carbon nanotube-mediated immune toxicity with an emphasis on cardiovascular exposure, including activation of the complement system, macrophage recognition and clearance, and overall effects on the functionality of different immune cells. Mapping these immune-related risks as well as understanding their molecular mechanisms is a crucial step in the development of any carbon nanotube-containing nanopharmaceuticals.

Characterization of carbon nanotube protein corona by using quantitative proteomics

The protein corona of a nanomaterial is a complex layer of proteins spontaneously and stably formed when the material is exposed to body fluids or intracellular environments. In this study, we utilised stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative proteomics to characterise the binding of human cellular proteins to two forms of carbon nanoparticles: namely multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon black (CB). The relative binding efficiency of over 750 proteins to these materials is measured. The data indicate that MWCNTs and CB bind to vastly different sets of proteins. The molecular basis of selectivity in protein binding is investigated. This study is the first large-scale characterisation of protein corona on CNT, providing the biochemical basis for the assessment of the suitability of CNTs as biomedical tools, and as an emerging pollutant.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

This team of investigators performed the first large-scale characterization of protein corona on carbon nanotubes, studying 750 proteins and assessing the suitability of CNTs as biomedical tools and as an emerging pollutant.

Effects of long and short carboxylated or aminated multiwalled carbon nanotubes on blood coagulation

In this work the effects of four different multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), including long carboxylated (L-COOH), short carboxylated (S-COOH), long aminated (L-NH₂) and short aminated (S-NH₂) ones, on the integrity of red blood cells, coagulation kinetics and activation of platelets were investigated with human whole blood. We found that the four MWCNTs induced different degrees of red blood cell damage as well as a mild level of platelet activation (10–25%). L-COOH and L-NH₂ induced a higher level of platelet activation than S-COOH and S-NH₂ respectively; meanwhile L-NH₂ caused marked reductions in platelet viability. The presence of the four MWCNTs led to earlier fibrin formation, L-NH₂ increased the clots hardness significantly, while L-COOH and S-NH₂ made the clots become softer. It was concluded that the four MWCNTs affected blood coagulation process and the clots mechanical properties; they also altered the integrity of the red blood cells and the viability of the platelets, as well as induced platelets activation. The effects of MWCNTs depended on the size and chemistry of the nanotubes and the type of cells they contacted.

Complement activation by carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotube interaction with an important part of the innate immune system, complement, needs to be taken into account when envisaging their use in biomedical applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other synthetic materials are recognized by various components of the complement system in human or mammalian blood and also collectins in the lungs. Modification of the surface chemistry of CNTs alters their interactions with complement proteins and collectins. Functionalizations of CNTs which have been tested so far do not completely prevent complement activation or plasma protein binding. The interaction of the functionalized CNTs with the complement system proteins in blood may influence the adhesion of CNTs to phagocytic cells and red blood cells. Excessive activation of complement can have a harmful effect on human tissues and therefore significantly limit CNT applications in biomedicine.

Protein ultrastructure and the nanoscience of complement activation

The complement system constitutes an important barrier to infection of the human body. Over more than four decades structural properties of the proteins of the complement system have been investigated with X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, small-angle scattering, and atomic force microscopy. Here, we review the accumulated evidence that the nm-scaled dimensions and conformational changes of these proteins support functions of the complement system with regard to tissue distribution, molecular crowding effects, avidity binding, and conformational regulation of complement activation. In the targeting of complement activation to the surfaces of nanoparticulate material, such as engineered nanoparticles or fragments of the microbial cell wall, these processes play intimately together. This way the complement system is an excellent example where nanoscience may serve to unravel the molecular biology of the immune response.