A Multiparametric Study of Internalization of Fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₃₆ Nanoparticles into Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Cytotoxicity in Oxidative Stress Induced by Ionizing Radiation

• Main Authors: Anna Lichota, Ireneusz Piwoński, Sylwia Michlewska, Anita Krokosz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: fullerenol uptake, accumulation, ionizing radiation, mitochondrial membrane potential
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/7/2281

The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake and accumulation of fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₃₆ into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Some additional studies were also performed: measurement of fullerenol nanoparticle size, zeta potential, and the influence of fullerenol on the ionizing radiation-induced damage to PMBCs. Fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₃₆ demonstrated an ability to accumulate in PBMCs. The accumulation of fullerenol in those cells did not have a significant effect on cell survival, nor on the distribution of phosphatidylserine in the plasma membrane. However, fullerenol-induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane proportional to the compound level in the medium was observed. Results also indicated that increased fullerenol level in the medium was associated with its enhanced transport into cells, corresponding to its influence on the mitochondrial membrane. The obtained results clearly showed the ability of C₆₀(OH)₃₆to enter cells and its effect on PBMC mitochondrial membrane potential. However, we did not observe radioprotective properties of fullerenol under the conditions used in our study.