Cytotoxicity of Carbon Nanotubes on J774 Macrophages Is a Purification-Dependent Effect

Abstract EN

The cytotoxicity of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is an important factor for the manufacture of nanovaccines.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship of the purification method of CNTs in cellular toxicity using macrophages (MOs) from the J774 cell line.

Viability test was performed with MTT assays at 24 h of exposure at concentrations of 0.06, 0.6, and 6 mg/L of unpurified (UP-CNTs) or purified (P-CNTs) CNTs by two different methods: (1) reflux with 3M HNO3 and (2) sonication in H2SO4/HNO3.

Characterization and COOH content of CNTs was performed using scanning electron microscopy, raman spectroscopy, and titration with NaHCO3.

P-CNTs1 had lengths >100 μm and 2.76% COOH content, while P-CNTs2 had lengths >1 μm and 7% COOH content.

This last particle showed a lower toxic effect.

The results suggest that the lenght and COOH content are important factors in the toxicity of the CNTs.