Intercellular carbon nanotube translocation assessed by flow cytometry imaging

Nano Lett. 2012 Sep 12;12(9):4830-7. doi: 10.1021/nl302273p. Epub 2012 Sep 4.

Abstract

The fate of carbon nanotubes in the organism is still controversial. Here, we propose a statistical high-throughput imaging method to localize and quantify functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in cells. We give the first experimental evidence of an intercellular translocation of carbon nanotubes. This stress-induced longitudinal transfer of nanomaterials is mediated by cell-released microvesicles known as vectors for intercellular communication. This finding raises new critical issues for nanotoxicology, since carbon nanotubes could be disseminated by circulating extracellular cell-released vesicles and visiting several cells in the course of their passage into the organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Diffusion
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Subcellular Fractions / chemistry*
  • Subcellular Fractions / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon