In vitro nanotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotube–dendrimer nanocomplexes against murine myoblast cells

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM) have been proposed for a variety of biomedical applications. The combination of both molecules makes this new composite nanomaterial highly functionalizable and versatile to theranostic and drug-delivery systems. However, recent toxicological studies have shown that nanomaterials such as SWCNTs and PAMAM may have high toxicity in biological environments. Aiming to elucidate such behavior, in vitro studies with different cultured cells have been conducted in the past few years. This study focuses on the effects of SWCNT–PAMAM nanomaterials and their individual components on the C2C12 murine cell line, which is a mixed population of stem and progenitor cells. The interactions between the cells and the nanomaterials were studied with different techniques usually employed in toxicological analyses. The results showed that SWCNT–PAMAM and PAMAM inhibited the proliferation and caused DNA damage of C2C12 cells. Data from flow cytometry revealed a less toxicity in C2C12 cells exposed to SWCNT compared to the other nanomaterials. The results indicated that the toxicity of SWCNT, SWCNT–PAMAM and PAMAM in C2C12 cells can be strongly correlated with the charge of the nanomaterials.

► Effects of SWCNT and PAMAM nanomaterials on the C2C12 murine cell line. ► The toxicity of SWCNT and PAMAM in C2C12 cells was correlated with the charge. ► PAMAM inhibited proliferation and cell adhesion more pronouncedly than SWCNT. ► First nanotoxicological study with C2C12 cells and SWCNT and PAMAM nanomaterials.