A Review: Carbon Nanotubes Toxicity Effects on The Respiratory System and Skin

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with unique graphitic structure, superior mechanical, electrical, optical and biological properties, has attracted more and more interests in biomedical applications, including gene/drug delivery, bioimaging, biosensor and tissue engineering. In this review, we focus on the role of CNTs and their polymeric composites in tissue engineering applications, with emphasis on their usages in the nerve, cardiac and bone tissue regenerations. The intrinsic natures of CNTs including their physical and chemical properties are first introduced, explaining the structure effects on CNTs electrical conductivity and various functionalization of CNTs to improve their hydrophobic characteristics. Biosafety issues of CNTs are also discussed in detail including the potential reasons to induce the toxicity and their potential strategies to minimise the toxicity effects. Several processing strategies including solution-based processing, polymerization, melt-based processing and grafting methods are presented to show the 2D/3D construct formations using the polymeric composite containing CNTs. For the sake of improving mechanical, electrical and biological properties and minimising the potential toxicity effects, recent advances using polymer/CNT composite the tissue engineering applications are displayed and they are mainly used in the neural tissue (to improve electrical conductivity and biological properties), cardiac tissue (to improve electrical, elastic properties and biological properties) and bone tissue (to improve mechanical properties and biological properties). Current limitations of CNTs in the tissue engineering are discussed and the corresponded future prospective are also provided. Overall, this review indicates that CNTs are promising “next-generation” materials for future biomedical applications.

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Toxicity effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanomaterial on the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758) in laboratory conditions

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology ◽

10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108832 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 237 ◽

pp. 108832

Author(s):

Kamran Rezaei Tavabe ◽

Maryam Yavar ◽

Sara Kabir ◽

Paria Akbary ◽

Zahra Aminikhoei

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Common Carp ◽

Cyprinus Carpio ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽

Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

The Common ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Toxicity Effects

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Iron-related toxicity effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes in human placental cells (BeWo) investigated by X-ray fluorescence microscopy

X-Ray Spectrometry ◽

10.1002/xrs.2994 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (5) ◽

pp. 413-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alessandra Gianoncelli ◽

Francesca Cammisuli ◽

Matteo Altissimo ◽

Murielle Salomé ◽

Oriano Radillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Fluorescence Microscopy ◽

Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

X Ray ◽

Single Walled Carbon ◽

Placental Cells ◽

Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Human Placental Cells ◽

Toxicity Effects

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Assessment of the Carcinogenicity of Carbon Nanotubes in the Respiratory System

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1318

Author(s):

Marcella Barbarino ◽

Antonio Giordano

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Respiratory System ◽

Web Of Science ◽

International Agency ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Human Populations ◽

Normal Cells ◽

Molecular Alterations ◽

Physico Chemical

In 2014, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the first type of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as possibly carcinogenic to humans, while in the case of other CNTs, it was not possible to ascertain their toxicity due to lack of evidence. Moreover, the physicochemical heterogeneity of this group of substances hamper any generalization on their toxicity. Here, we review the recent relevant toxicity studies produced after the IARC meeting in 2014 on an homogeneous group of CNTs, highlighting the molecular alterations that are relevant for the onset of mesothelioma. Methods: The literature was searched on PubMed and Web of Science for the period 2015–2020, using different combinations keywords. Only data on normal cells of the respiratory system after exposure to fully characterized CNTs for their physico-chemical characteristics were included. Recent studies indicate that CNTs induce a sustained inflammatory response, oxidative stress, fibrosis and histological alterations. The development of mesothelial hyperplasia, mesothelioma, and lungs tumors have been also described in vivo. The data support a strong inflammatory potential of CNTs, similar to that of asbestos, and provide evidence that CNTs exposure led to molecular alterations known to have a key role in mesothelioma onset. These evidences call for an urgent improvement of studies on exposed human populations and adequate systems for monitoring the health of workers exposed to this putative carcinogen.

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Structural phenomena in the growth of carbon nanotubes

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100149581 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 750-751

Author(s):

Jun Jiao

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Growth Mechanism ◽

Carbonaceous Material ◽

Cluster Growth ◽

Structural Elements ◽

Rich Variety ◽

Different Shapes ◽

Point To Point

HREM studies of the carbonaceous material deposited on the cathode of a Huffman-Krätschmer arc reactor have shown a rich variety of multiple-walled nano-clusters of different shapes and forms. The preparation of the samples, as well as the variety of cluster shapes, including triangular, rhombohedral and pentagonal projections, are described elsewhere.The close registry imposed on the nanotubes, focuses attention on the cluster growth mechanism. The strict parallelism in the graphitic separation of the tube walls is maintained through changes of form and size, often leading to 180° turns, and accommodating neighboring clusters and defects. Iijima et. al. have proposed a growth scheme in terms of pentagonal and heptagonal defects and their combinations in a hexagonal graphitic matrix, the first bending the surface inward, and the second outward. We report here HREM observations that support Iijima’s suggestions, and add some new features that refine the interpretation of the growth mechanism. The structural elements of our observations are briefly summarized in the following four micrographs, taken in a Hitachi H-8100 TEM operating at an accelerating voltage of 200 kV and with a point-to-point resolution of 0.20 nm.

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