Functionalized carbon nanotubes: From intracellular uptake and cell-related toxicity to systemic brain delivery

TY - JOUR

T1 - Functionalized carbon nanotubes: From intracellular uptake and cell-related toxicity to systemic brain delivery

AU - Costa, Pedro M.

AU - Bourgognon, Maxime

AU - Wang, Julie T-W

AU - Al-Jamal, Khuloud T.

PY - 2016/11/10

Y1 - 2016/11/10

N2 - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been regarded as promising carriers in biomedicine. Due to their high surface area and unique needle-like structure, CNTs are uniquely equipped to carry therapeutic molecules across biological membranes and, therefore, have been widely researched for use in theranostic applications. The attractive properties of the CNTs entice also their use in the brain environment. Cutting edge brain-specific therapies, capable of circumventing the physical and biochemical blockage of the blood-brain barrier, could be a precious tool to tackle brain disorders. With an increasing number of applications and expanding production, the effects of direct and indirect exposure to CNTs on cellular and molecular levels and more globally the general health, must be carefully assessed and limited. In this chapter, we review the most recent trends on the development and application of CNT-based nanotechnologies, with a particular focus on the carrier properties, cell internalisation and processing, and mechanisms involved in cell toxicity. Novel approaches for CNT-based systemic therapeutic brain delivery following intravenous administration are also reviewed. Moreover, we highlight fundamental questions that should be addressed in future research involving CNTs, aiming at achieving its safe introduction into the clinics.

AB - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have long been regarded as promising carriers in biomedicine. Due to their high surface area and unique needle-like structure, CNTs are uniquely equipped to carry therapeutic molecules across biological membranes and, therefore, have been widely researched for use in theranostic applications. The attractive properties of the CNTs entice also their use in the brain environment. Cutting edge brain-specific therapies, capable of circumventing the physical and biochemical blockage of the blood-brain barrier, could be a precious tool to tackle brain disorders. With an increasing number of applications and expanding production, the effects of direct and indirect exposure to CNTs on cellular and molecular levels and more globally the general health, must be carefully assessed and limited. In this chapter, we review the most recent trends on the development and application of CNT-based nanotechnologies, with a particular focus on the carrier properties, cell internalisation and processing, and mechanisms involved in cell toxicity. Novel approaches for CNT-based systemic therapeutic brain delivery following intravenous administration are also reviewed. Moreover, we highlight fundamental questions that should be addressed in future research involving CNTs, aiming at achieving its safe introduction into the clinics.

KW - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

KW - Functionalisation

KW - Biocompatibility

KW - Cell toxicity

KW - Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

KW - Brain delivery

U2 - 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.033

DO - 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.033

M3 - Article

SN - 0168-3659

VL - 241

SP - 200

EP - 219

JO - JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE

JF - JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE

ER -