Augmentation of C17.2 Neural Stem Cell Differentiation via Uptake of Low Concentrations of ssDNA-Wrapped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Nanostructured biomaterials are extensively explored in clinical imaging and in gene/drug delivery applications. However, limited studies are performed that examine the influence that nanomaterials may have on cell behavior over long time scales at nonlethal concentrations. This study is designed to investigate whether carbon nanotubes are able to augment cell behavior at low concentrations. Single-walled carbon nanotubes are introduced to neural stem cells at different stages of differentiation at concentrations as low as 5 ng mL⁻¹. Results demonstrate that in this particular cell model, nanotube uptake is mediated by endocytosis. Differentiation is augmented, especially when nanotubes are introduced to cells in an actively dividing state. Significant increases in neuronal cell population are observed over the control specimens. While the mechanisms behind this observation are yet unknown, this study demonstrates that low concentrations of internalized nanomaterials can significantly alter the differentiation profile of a stem cell line.