Long-term in vivo biocompatibility of single-walled carbon nanotubes

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 15; no. 5; p. e0226791
• Main Authors: Galassi, Thomas V, Antman-Passig, Merav, Yaari, Zvi, Jessurun, Jose, Schwartz, Robert E, Heller, Daniel A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 06.05.2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Attenuation; Biocompatibility; Biological markers; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomarkers; Biophysics; Blood tests; Cancer; Carbon; Chirality; Complete blood count; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Engineering and Technology; Fate; Gastroenterology; Graphene; Hepatology; Histology; Intravenous administration; Journalists; Kidneys; Lipids; Liver; Materials; Medical research; Medical schools; Medicine and Health Sciences; Microscopy; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Organs; Pharmacology; Physical Sciences; Physiology; Polyethylene glycol; Properties; Research and Analysis Methods; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Spleen; Testing; Toxicity; United States; New York; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226791

Over the past two decades, measurements of carbon nanotube toxicity and biodistribution have yielded a wide range of results. Properties such as nanotube type (single-walled vs. multi-walled), purity, length, aggregation state, and functionalization, as well as route of administration, greatly affect both the biocompatibility and biodistribution of carbon nanotubes. These differences suggest that generalizable conclusions may be elusive and that studies must be material- and application-specific. Here, we assess the short- and long-term biodistribution and biocompatibility of a single-chirality DNA-encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotube complex upon intravenous administration that was previously shown to function as an in-vivo reporter of endolysosomal lipid accumulation. Regarding biodistribution and fate, we found bulk specificity to the liver and >90% signal attenuation by 14 days in mice. Using near-infrared hyperspectral microscopy to measure single nanotubes, we found low-level, long-term persistence in organs such as the heart, liver, lung, kidney, and spleen. Measurements of histology, animal weight, complete blood count; biomarkers of organ function all suggest short- and long-term biocompatibility. This work suggests that carbon nanotubes can be used as preclinical research tools in-vivo without affecting acute or long-term health.