Neuroblastoma Cells Displacement by Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

In this paper, as-produced multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, revealing the presence of Fe, Al, and Zn residuals and impurities. MWNTs have then been dispersed in Pluronic F127 aqueous solution and used to seed neuroblastoma cell lines (HN9.10e and SH-SY5Y) for three days. We found that MWNTs interact with cells and induce, under a permanent constant magnetic field, the cell displacement toward the magnetic source.

Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes: A New Tool for Shepherding Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Magnetic Fields

“…This property was utilized by Cai et al to develop a physical technique for in vitro and ex vivo gene transfer known as 'nanotube spearing', capable of effective cell transfection with plasmid DNA [11]. Similarly, we have recently demonstrated that MWCNTs are able to interact with cells and, when exposed to a magnetic field, induce their migration towards the magnetic source [12,13].…”

Imaging and Biomedical Application of Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes

“…We spent much efforts in finding the best conditions to label cells with MWCNTs and to move them by magnetic field without compromising their physiological conditions. Under the effect of a permanent dipole magnet, cells have been seeded for three days with the CNT-modified medium: a progressive displacement of cells toward the more intensive magnetic fields was visible in the dishes where the CNTs have been added in culture, while in the control dishes (without CNTs) there was negligible translations of cells during the same period (Pensabene et al,2008). Our results suggest that cell displacement occurs during cell duplications.…”

Multifunctional carbon nanomaterial hybrids for magnetic manipulation and targeting

“…Functionalized MWCNT-bound cells proved to cause progressive cell displacement towards the most intensive magnetic field zones under a permanent constant magnetic field. This behavior can be exploited to prevent cell migration leading to formation of metastasis [44,45].…”

“…Later, it has been reported that MWCNTs could interact with neuroblastoma cells and induce cell displacement towards the magnetic source under the effect of a permanent dipole magnet [45]. The displacement mechanism is still not clear; it is either due to the uptake of the nanotubes (by endocytosis or pinocytosis) or their attachment to the cell membrane.…”