Study evaluates the use of magnetic carbon nanotubes in biomedical applications

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Agência FAPESP* –Agência FAPESP* – A study published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules deals with the synthesis and characterization of magnetic carbon nanotubes (M-CNTs) for potential applications in drug delivery systems and tissue supports in the human body.

The work was carried out by researchers in Portugal, at the University of Porto, and in Brazil, at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL) and the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), as well as at the Center for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF), a FAPESP Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) based at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).

“Our research investigated two types of functionalization of M-CNTs: covered with bovine serum albumin (M-CNTs-BSA) and functionalized with hydrophilic monomers (M-CNTs-HL), and their interaction with cells,” said Luiz Fernando Gorup, a CDMF researcher and co-author of the article.

The materials mentioned by the researcher were used at various concentrations to assess cytotoxicity, cell metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the ability to cross biomimetic barriers (which mimic cell membranes, for example).

The results showed that M-CNTs have moderate cytotoxicity while maintaining cell integrity and can permeate through the biomimetic membrane with and without the use of an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized M-CNTs were effective in preventing the induction of the necrotic process in Caco-2 cells (a strain used as an in vitro model to mimic the small intestine in drug transport studies; they allow the study of intestinal permeation for the screening of excipients in drug formulations), which proved to be favorable for permeation.

According to Gorup, “the research provides crucial insights into the impact of surface modifications on nanotube behavior and cellular interactions.” The researcher emphasized the importance of the information obtained for future biomedical applications.

The article “Magnetic carbon nanotubes modified with proteins and hydrophilic monomers: Cytocompatibility, in-vitro toxicity assays and permeation across biological interfaces” can be read at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024027673.  

* With information from the CDMF

<p><strong>Agência FAPESP</strong>* – A study <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024027673" target="_blank"><strong>published</strong></a> in the <em>International Journal of Biological Macromolecules</em> deals with the synthesis and characterization of magnetic carbon nanotubes (M-CNTs) for potential applications in drug delivery systems and tissue supports in the human body.</p>

<p>The work was carried out by researchers in Portugal, at the University of Porto, and in Brazil, at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL) and the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), as well as at the <a href="https://bv.fapesp.br/en/auxilios/58569/" target="_blank"><strong>Center for Development of Functional Materials</strong></a> (<a href="http://cdmf.org.br/en" target="_blank"><strong>CDMF</strong></a>), a FAPESP Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (<a href="https://cepid.fapesp.br/en" target="_blank"><strong>RIDC</strong></a>) based at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).</p>

<p>“Our research investigated two types of functionalization of M-CNTs: covered with bovine serum albumin (M-CNTs-BSA) and functionalized with hydrophilic monomers (M-CNTs-HL), and their interaction with cells,” said <a href="https://bv.fapesp.br/en/pesquisador/673774/luiz-fernando-gorup" target="_blank"><strong>Luiz Fernando Gorup</strong></a>, a CDMF researcher and co-author of the article.</p>

<p>The materials mentioned by the researcher were used at various concentrations to assess cytotoxicity, cell metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the ability to cross biomimetic barriers (which mimic cell membranes, for example).</p>

<p>The results showed that M-CNTs have moderate cytotoxicity while maintaining cell integrity and can permeate through the biomimetic membrane with and without the use of an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized M-CNTs were effective in preventing the induction of the necrotic process in Caco-2 cells (a strain used as an in vitro model to mimic the small intestine in drug transport studies; they allow the study of intestinal permeation for the screening of excipients in drug formulations), which proved to be favorable for permeation.</p>

<p>According to Gorup, “the research provides crucial insights into the impact of surface modifications on nanotube behavior and cellular interactions.” The researcher emphasized the importance of the information obtained for future biomedical applications.</p>

<p>The article “Magnetic carbon nanotubes modified with proteins and hydrophilic monomers: Cytocompatibility, in-vitro toxicity assays and permeation across biological interfaces” can be read at: <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024027673" target="_blank"><strong>www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813024027673</strong></a>.  </p>

<p><em>* With information from the CDMF</em></p>

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