Background Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) represent a new opportunity for drug delivery and clinical therapy. The present work has the objective to investigate pectin-coated BNNTs (P-BNNTs) for their biocompatibility on macrophage cultures, since these cells are among the first components of the immune system to interact with administered nanoparticles. Methods As first step, the potential toxicity of P-BNNTs is verified in terms of proliferation, oxidative stress induction and apoptosis/necrosis phenomena. Thereafter, the modulation of immune cell response following P-BNNT exposure is evaluated at gene and protein level, in particular focusing on cytokine release. Finally, P-BNNT internalization is assessed through transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Results The results proved that P-BNNTs are not toxic for macrophages up to 50 μg/ml after 24 h of incubation. The cytokine expression is not affected by P-BNNT administration both at gene and protein level. Moreover, P-BNNTs are internalized by macrophages without impairments of the cell structures. Conclusions Collected data suggest that P-BNNTs cause neither adverse effects nor inflammation processes in macrophages. General significance These findings represent the first and fundamental step in immune compatibility evaluation of BNNTs, mandatory before any further pre-clinical testing.

Pectin-coated boron nitride nanotubes: In vitro cyto-/immune-compatibility on RAW 264.7 macrophages

Parlanti, Paola;
2016

Abstract

Background Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) represent a new opportunity for drug delivery and clinical therapy. The present work has the objective to investigate pectin-coated BNNTs (P-BNNTs) for their biocompatibility on macrophage cultures, since these cells are among the first components of the immune system to interact with administered nanoparticles. Methods As first step, the potential toxicity of P-BNNTs is verified in terms of proliferation, oxidative stress induction and apoptosis/necrosis phenomena. Thereafter, the modulation of immune cell response following P-BNNT exposure is evaluated at gene and protein level, in particular focusing on cytokine release. Finally, P-BNNT internalization is assessed through transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Results The results proved that P-BNNTs are not toxic for macrophages up to 50 μg/ml after 24 h of incubation. The cytokine expression is not affected by P-BNNT administration both at gene and protein level. Moreover, P-BNNTs are internalized by macrophages without impairments of the cell structures. Conclusions Collected data suggest that P-BNNTs cause neither adverse effects nor inflammation processes in macrophages. General significance These findings represent the first and fundamental step in immune compatibility evaluation of BNNTs, mandatory before any further pre-clinical testing.
2016
Boron nitride nanotubes; Cytocompatibility; Immune system; Macrophages; Animals; Boron Compounds; Cell Line; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Cytokines; Gene Expression Regulation; Macrophages; Mice; Nanotubes; Pectins; Materials Testing; Biophysics; Biochemistry; Molecular Biology
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/83372
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