PUBLICATION

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with pyrene-PEG via π-π interactions: toxicological assessment in zebrafish embryos

Authors
Cordeiro, M.F., Gomides, L.S., Vian, C.O., Carboni, M.T., Santos, A.P., Bruch, G.E., Horn, A.P., Barros, D.M.
ID
ZDB-PUB-200829-17
Date
2020
Source
Nanotechnology   31: 465103 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Barros, Daniela Marti
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/pathology
  • Locomotion/drug effects
  • Nanotubes, Carbon/toxicity*
  • Polyethylene Glycols/toxicity*
  • Pyrenes/toxicity*
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
PubMed
32857732 Full text @ Nanotechnology
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have many promising biological applications, even though functionalization is needed for better biocompatibility. Functionalization of MWCNT with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a promising and widely studied approach, but the best PEGylation method is still under investigation. In this work, we have tested the biological implications of MWCNT functionalized via π-stacking with pyrene-PEG (MWCNT-Pyr-PEG) in zebrafish embryos. As Pyr toxicity is well documented and represents a major concern for the safety of the proposed approach, we have also tested the effects of the exposure to the isolated conjugate (Pyr-PEG). The resulting suspensions were stable in saline medium and well dispersed. Zebrafish embryos at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) were dechorionated and randomly assigned to seven experimental groups (n = 50 per group): control, MWCNT-Pyr-PEG at 0.2, 2.0, and 20.0 mg l-1, and Pyr-PEG at the same concentrations, and exposures were performed in 96-well plates. Specimens were observed for heart rate, malformations, body length, mortality, traveled distance, and number of new movements. Heart rate was reduced in embryos exposed to any tested concentration of MWCNT-Pyr-PEG, while this effect was observed with Pyr-PEG from 2 mg l-1. The highest concentration of MWCNT-Pyr-PEG also led to increased occurrence of malformations, shortened body length and reduced traveled distance. The functionalization approach shows promise due to the stability in saline media, even though toxic effects were observed in the highest tested concentrations, being the MWCNT the main actors underlying these outcomes.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping