Adsorbed plasma proteins modulate the effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on neutrophils in blood

The main plasma proteins, namely human serum albumin (HSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and fibrinogen (FBG), bind tightly to sidewalls of PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (PEG-SWCNTs). PEG-SWCNTs added to whole blood samples cause formation of platelet-SWCNT agglomerates and activation of neutrophils. Treatment of PEG-SWCNTs with HSA and IgG attenuated formation of agglomerates and decrease damage of neutrophils trapped into agglomerated. Coating with HSA and FBG do not change substantially PEG-SWCNTs-induced activation of neutrophils while IgG increases neutrophil activation several folds.262