Open AccessProtein expression profiles of intestinal epithelial co-cultures: effect of functionalised carbon nanotube exposure
Author(s) -
Xianyin Lai,
Bonnie L. Blazer Yost,
James W. Clack,
Sharry L. Fears,
Somenath Mitra,
Susana Addo Ntim,
Heather N. Ringham,
Frank A. Witzmann
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of biomedical nanoscience and nanotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1756-0802
pISSN - 1756-0799
DOI - 10.1504/ijbnn.2013.054508
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , protein expression , in vitro , chemistry , biophysics , toxicity , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , materials science , biochemistry , nanotechnology , gene , organic chemistry
To assess the biological effects of low level, water dispersible, functionalised carbon nanotube (f-CNT) exposure in an in vitro model simulating the digestive tract, cellular protein expression was quantified and compared using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry (LFQMS). Co-cultured cells were exposed to well-characterised SWCNT-COOH, MWCNT-COOH, and MWCNT-PVP. The relative expression of 2,282 unique proteins was compared across the dose groups. 428 proteins were found to be differentially expressed. At the high dose, the extent of differential protein expression was CNT-specific and directly related to CNT colloidal stability. Cells responded to low level MWCNT-PVP exposure with three-fold greater differential expression. Bioinformatic analysis indicated significant and f-CNT-specific effects on relevant molecular and cellular functions and canonical pathways, with little overlap across f-CNT type and in the absence of overt toxicity.