Lung Persistence, Biodegradation, and Elimination of Graphene‐Based Materials are Predominantly Size‐Dependent and Mediated by Alveolar Phagocytes

• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301201
• Publication Date: 2023-06-02T12:47:36Z
• Authors: Thomas Loret; Luis Augusto Visa...; Matteo Andrea Luc...; Alexander Fordham; Neus Lozano; Alberto Bianco; Kostas Kostarelos; Cyrill Bussy
• Keywords: Persistence (discontinuity)

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have promising applications in various sectors, including pulmonary nanomedicine. Nevertheless, the influence of GBM physicochemical characteristics on their fate and impact lung has not been thoroughly addressed. To fill this gap, biological response, distribution, bio-persistence four different GBMs mouse lungs up to 28 days after single oropharyngeal aspiration are investigated. None GBMs, varying size (large versus small) carbon oxygen ratio as well thickness (few-layers graphene (FLG) thin oxide (GO)), induce a strong immune response. However, recruited neutrophils internalize nanosheets better degrade faster than macrophages, revealing crucial role elimination small GBMs. In contrast, large GO sheets more damages due hindered degradation long-term persistence macrophages. Overall, dimensions appear be leading feature design safe nanovectors an enhanced phagocytes clearance from for Thickness also plays important role, since decreased material loading alveolar found FLGs compared thinner GOs. These results designing safer-by-design biomedical application.