Adsorbed plasma proteins modulate the effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on neutrophils in blood

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.02.012
• Publication Date: 2016-03-22T12:24:16Z
• Authors: Irina I. Vlasova; Elena V. Mikhalchik; Nikolay A. Barinov; Valeria A. Kostevich; Natalia V. Smolina; Dmitry V. Klinov; Alexey V. Sokolov
• Keywords: Protein Adsorption

Proteins adsorbed on a surface may affect the interaction of this surface with cells. Here, we studied the binding of human serum albumin (HSA), fibrinogen (FBG) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) to PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (PEG-SWCNTs) and evaluated the impact of PEG-SWCNT treated by these proteins on neutrophils in whole blood samples. Measurements of adsorption parameters revealed tight binding of proteins to PEG-SWCNTs. AFM was employed to directly observe protein binding to sidewalls of PEG-SWCNTs. Fluorescein-labeled IgG was used to ascertain the stability of PEG-SWCNT-IgG complexes in plasma. In blood samples, all plasma proteins mitigated damage of neutrophils observed just after blood exposure to PEG-SWCNTs, while only treatment of PEG-SWCNTs with IgG resulted in dose- and time-dependent enhancement of CNT-induced neutrophil activation and in potentiation of oxidative stress. Our study demonstrates the ability of adsorbed plasma proteins to influence neutrophil response caused by PEG-SWCNTs in whole blood.