Cytotoxicity and Cellular Uptake of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

There is growing evidence that filamentous nanoparticles offer advantages over spherical ones in drug delivery applications. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of rod-like, plant-derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for nanomedical uses. Besides a nonspherical morphology, their facile bioconjugation, surface hydrophilicity and small size render CNCs promising drug carriers. The cytotoxicity of CNCs against nine different cell lines (HBMEC, bEnd.3, RAW 264.7, MCF-10A, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, KB, PC-3 and C6) was determined by MTT and LDH assay. CNCs showed no cytotoxic effects against any of these cell lines in the concentration range and exposure time studied (0–50 μg/mL and 48 h, respectively). Cellular uptake of fluorescein-5′-isothiocyanate-labeled CNCs by these cell lines, quantified with a fluorescence microplate reader, was minimal. The lack of cytotoxicity and the low nonspecific cellular uptake support our hypothesis that CNCs are good candidates for nanomedical applications.

The relevancy of controlled nanocrystallization on rifampicin characteristics and cytotoxicity

“…The cellular uptake of nanocrystals may occur by either receptor-mediated or nonspecific endocytosis. 51 The former, likely the clathrin-and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, …”

“…22,51 The surface charge of the nanocrystals implies an important role in the cellular uptake. Mahmoud et al 52 proved that the cellular uptake of positively charged cellulose nanocrystals via human embryonic kidney 293 was superior to that of the negatively charged one.…”

Fate of Cellulose Nanocrystal Aerosols Deposited on the Lung Cell Surface In Vitro

“…Dong and colleagues have shown cellular uptake after exposure to fluorescently labeled CNCs solely in the read-out of a fluorescent plate reader without visualizing the CNC−cell interaction. 17 Mahmoud et al showed uptake of FITC or rhodamine functionalized flax-derived CNCs depending on their surface charge. 66 However, due to the lack of sufficient microscopic analysis in 3D, the observed fluorescence could also stem from CNCs attachment to the outer cell membrane.…”

Folate Conjugated Cellulose Nanocrystals Potentiate Irreversible Electroporation-induced Cytotoxicity for the Selective Treatment of Cancer Cells

“…Furthermore, CNCs have been shown to be noncytotoxic to a multitude of cell types at concentrations as high as 50 µg/ml (18,19). CNCs are rodshaped particles which are relatively simple and inexpensive to produce, and their size is readily controlled via sulfuric acid hydrolysis (18,20,21).…”