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Prometastatic Potential of Non-Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in the MDA-MB-436 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Magdalena Matysiak-Kucharek1, Krzysztof Sawicki1, Marcin Kruszewski2
1Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, Institute of Rural Health, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) show toxicity and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. While promoting pro-metastatic factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, MWCNT effects on cell migration and TGFB1 secretion were modest, warranting further safety research.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterial safety
- Cancer research
- Toxicology
Background:
- Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are widely used but may promote fibrosis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- Understanding MWCNT effects on cancer cells is crucial for assessing their safety in industrial and medical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prometastatic potential of different sized MWCNTs (5-20 nm and 50-80 nm) on MDA-MB-436 breast cancer cells.
- To investigate MWCNT-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, EMT marker expression, cell migration, and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assessed by MTT and NR assays.
- Oxidative stress evaluated via malonylodialdehyde and thiol levels.
- EMT markers analyzed by qRT-PCR.
- Cell migration measured using QCM Chemotaxis Assay.
- Cytokine and apoptosis arrays, ELISA used for protein analysis.
Main Results:
- MWCNTs exhibited cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-436 cells.
- Low oxidative stress and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines were observed.
- Mesenchymal EMT markers upregulated, but cell migration and TGFB1 secretion increased only modestly.
- MWCNTs demonstrated a complex, multifaceted impact on cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- MWCNTs induce apoptosis and EMT-related changes in breast cancer cells.
- The prometastatic effects of MWCNTs appear limited, with modest impacts on migration.
- Further investigation into the safety of MWCNTs in biological systems is essential.
