Aim: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are tubular nanoparticles with a structure analogous to that of carbon nanotubes, but with B and N atoms that completely replace the C atoms. Many favorable results indicate BNNTs as safe nanomaterials; however, important concerns have recently been raised about ultra-pure, long (˜10 µm) BNNTs tested on several cell types. Materials & methods: Here, we propose additional experiments with the same BNNTs, but shortened (˜1.5 µm) with a homogenization/sonication treatment that allows for their dispersion in gum Arabic aqueous solutions. Obtained BNNTs are tested on human endothelial and neuron-like cells with several independent biocompatibility assays. Moreover, for the first time, their strong sum-frequency generation signal is exploited to assess the cellular uptake. Results & conclusion: Our data demonstrate no toxic effects up to concentrations of 20 µg/ml, once more confirming biosafety of BNNTs, and again highlighting that nanoparticle aspect ratio plays a key role in the biocompatibility evaluation.

Cytocompatibility evaluation of gum Arabic-coated ultra-pure boron nitride nanotubes on human cells / Ciofani Gianni; Del Turco Serena; Rocca Antonella; de Vito Giuseppe; Cappello Valentina; Yamaguchi Maho; Li Xia; Mazzolai Barbara; Basta Giuseppina; Gemmi Mauro; Piazza Vincenzo; Golberg Dmitri; Mattoli Virgilio. - In: NANOMEDICINE. - ISSN 1743-5889. - ELETTRONICO. - 9:(2014), pp. 773-788. [10.2217/nnm.14.25]

Cytocompatibility evaluation of gum Arabic-coated ultra-pure boron nitride nanotubes on human cells

de Vito Giuseppe;
2014

Abstract

Aim: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are tubular nanoparticles with a structure analogous to that of carbon nanotubes, but with B and N atoms that completely replace the C atoms. Many favorable results indicate BNNTs as safe nanomaterials; however, important concerns have recently been raised about ultra-pure, long (˜10 µm) BNNTs tested on several cell types. Materials & methods: Here, we propose additional experiments with the same BNNTs, but shortened (˜1.5 µm) with a homogenization/sonication treatment that allows for their dispersion in gum Arabic aqueous solutions. Obtained BNNTs are tested on human endothelial and neuron-like cells with several independent biocompatibility assays. Moreover, for the first time, their strong sum-frequency generation signal is exploited to assess the cellular uptake. Results & conclusion: Our data demonstrate no toxic effects up to concentrations of 20 µg/ml, once more confirming biosafety of BNNTs, and again highlighting that nanoparticle aspect ratio plays a key role in the biocompatibility evaluation.
2014
9
773
788
Ciofani Gianni; Del Turco Serena; Rocca Antonella; de Vito Giuseppe; Cappello Valentina; Yamaguchi Maho; Li Xia; Mazzolai Barbara; Basta Giuseppina; Gemmi Mauro; Piazza Vincenzo; Golberg Dmitri; Mattoli Virgilio
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1243649
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