Journal Article

Cytocompatibility evaluation of gum Arabic-coated ultra-pure boron nitride nanotubes on human cells

Mattoli, Virgilio, Ciofani, Gianni, Golberg, Dmitri, Del Turco, Serena, Gemmi, Mauro, Piazza, Vincenzo, Cappello, Valentina, Basta, Giuseppina, Yamaguchi, Maho, Mazzolai, Barbara, de Vito, Giuseppe, Li, Xia, Rocca, Antonella

2014

Overview

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are tubular nanoparticles with a structure analogous to that of carbon nanotubes, but with B and N atoms that completely replace the C atoms. Many favorable results indicate BNNTs as safe nanomaterials; however, important concerns have recently been raised about ultra-pure, long (˜10 µm) BNNTs tested on several cell types. Here, we propose additional experiments with the same BNNTs, but shortened (˜1.5 µm) with a homogenization/sonication treatment that allows for their dispersion in gum Arabic aqueous solutions. Obtained BNNTs are tested on human endothelial and neuron-like cells with several independent biocompatibility assays. Moreover, for the first time, their strong sum-frequency generation signal is exploited to assess the cellular uptake. Our data demonstrate no toxic effects up to concentrations of 20 µg/ml, once more confirming biosafety of BNNTs, and again highlighting that nanoparticle aspect ratio plays a key role in the biocompatibility evaluation. Original submitted 3 December 2013; Revised submitted 28 January 2014; Published online 6 February 2014

• Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd,Informa UK Limited,Future Medicine
• Subject: Analysis / Biocompatibility / biocompatibility, boron nitride nanotubes, gum Arabic, HUVECs, SH-SY5Y / Biocompatible/chemistry/metabolism/toxicity / Biological and medical sciences / Boron Compounds / Boron Compounds - chemistry / Boron Compounds - metabolism / Boron Compounds - toxicity / Boron Compounds/chemistry/metabolism/toxicity / Boron nitride / boron nitride nanotubes / Cell Line / Cell Survival / Cell Survival - drug effects / Chemical properties / Coated Materials / Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry / Coated Materials, Biocompatible - metabolism / Coated Materials, Biocompatible - toxicity / Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology / Exact sciences and technology / gum Arabic / Gum Arabic - chemistry / Gum Arabic - metabolism / Gum Arabic - toxicity / Gum Arabic/chemistry/metabolism/toxicity / Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Humans / HUVECs / HUVECs; SH-SY5Y; biocompatibility; boron nitride nanotubes; gum Arabic; Boron Compounds; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Gum Arabic; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Nanotubes / Materials science / Medical sciences / Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization / Nanotubes / Nanotubes - chemistry / Nanotubes - toxicity / Nanotubes - ultrastructure / Nanotubes/chemistry/toxicity/ultrastructure / Physics / SH-SY5Y / Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases / Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments