Differential sub-cellular processing of single-wall carbon nanotubes via interfacial modifications

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cell-specific targeting of carbon nanotubes is advancing.
• Controlling sub-cellular localization of nanomaterials is crucial for biomedical applications but remains underdeveloped.
• Surface functionalization impacts nanomaterial behavior within cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different surface modification molecules influence the intracellular trafficking and localization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).
• To establish design principles for SWCNT surface modifications to achieve desired sub-cellular delivery for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Non-covalent suspension of hydrophobic SWCNTs using Pluronic® F-127 (PF127) and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
• Utilized complementary imaging modalities to track SWCNT cellular uptake and localization.
• Investigated the effect of chloroquine, an endosome disrupter, on SWCNT trafficking.

Main Results:

• SWCNTs-PF127 were endocytosed, escaped endosomes, and altered F-actin structures.
• SWCNTs-BSA remained within the endosomal pathway, co-localizing with endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles.
• SWCNTs-BSA with chloroquine treatment induced F-actin alterations similar to SWCNTs-PF127, suggesting PF127 facilitates endosome escape.

Conclusions:

• The choice of non-covalent suspending molecules significantly dictates SWCNT sub-cellular localization.
• PF127 promotes endosome escape and potential interaction with intracellular filamentous structures.
• This work provides a design strategy for tailoring SWCNT surface chemistry to control intracellular trafficking for biomedical applications without compromising intrinsic SWCNT properties.