Cytocompatibility of carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

Nanotechnology. 2021 Nov 15;33(6). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac335b.

Abstract

Carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH) presents unique properties due to nanoscale dimensions and permits a broad range of applications in different fields, such as bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the cytocompatibility of MWCNT-COOH with human stem cells is poorly understood. Thus, studies elucidating how MWCNT-COOH affects human stem cell viability are essential to a safer application of nanotechnologies. Using stem cells from the human exfoliated deciduous teeth model, we have evaluated the effects of MWCNT-COOH on cell viability, oxidative cell stress, and DNA integrity. Results demonstrated that despite the decreased metabolism of mitochondria, MWCNT-COOH had no toxicity against stem cells. Cells maintained viability after MWCNT-COOH exposure. MWCNT-COOH did not alter the superoxide dismutase activity and did not cause genotoxic effects. The present findings are relevant to the potential application of MWCNT-COOH in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields.

Keywords: carbon materials; in vitro study; nanotechnology; tissue engineering.

MeSH terms

  • Carboxylic Acids / toxicity
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / toxicity*
  • Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Stem Cells* / drug effects
  • Tissue Engineering*
  • Tooth, Deciduous / cytology*

Substances

  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Nanotubes, Carbon