Interfacing Functionalized Carbon Nanohorns with Primary Phagocytic Cells

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.200702753
• Publication Date: 2008-05-19T15:52:13Z
• Authors: Stéphanie Lacotte; Ainara García; Marion Décossas; Wafa' T. Al‐Jamal; Shouping Li; Kostas Kostarelos; Sylviane Muller; Maurizio Prato; Hélène Dumortier; Alberto Bianco
• Keywords: "; 610; [CHIM.THER]Chemical Sciences/Medicinal Chemistry; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 3. Good health

Functionalized carbon nanohorns (f-CNH) are uptaken by macrophages, without affecting cell viability. f-CNH induce the production of reactive oxygen species and of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The level of inflammation, although moderate, should be taken into consideration when using f-CNH for drug delivery. However, it could be exploited as an intrinsic f-CNH adjuvant function for biomedical applications requiring some activation of the immune system.