Biomaterial Database

Complement activation by carbon nanotubes. 2011

Malgorzata J Rybak-Smith, and Robert B Sim

Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK. mrybaksmith@gmail.com

Carbon nanotube interaction with an important part of the innate immune system, complement, needs to be taken into account when envisaging their use in biomedical applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other synthetic materials are recognized by various components of the complement system in human or mammalian blood and also collectins in the lungs. Modification of the surface chemistry of CNTs alters their interactions with complement proteins and collectins. Functionalizations of CNTs which have been tested so far do not completely prevent complement activation or plasma protein binding. The interaction of the functionalized CNTs with the complement system proteins in blood may influence the adhesion of CNTs to phagocytic cells and red blood cells. Excessive activation of complement can have a harmful effect on human tissues and therefore significantly limit CNT applications in biomedicine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D003165	Complement System Proteins	Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY).	Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D003167	Complement Activation	The sequential activation of serum COMPLEMENT PROTEINS to create the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Factors initiating complement activation include ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY COMPLEXES, microbial ANTIGENS, or cell surface POLYSACCHARIDES.	Activation, Complement,Activations, Complement,Complement Activations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001672	Biocompatible Materials	Synthetic or natural materials, other than DRUGS, that are used to replace or repair any body TISSUES or bodily function.	Biomaterials,Bioartificial Materials,Hemocompatible Materials,Bioartificial Material,Biocompatible Material,Biomaterial,Hemocompatible Material,Material, Bioartificial,Material, Biocompatible,Material, Hemocompatible
D037742	Nanotubes, Carbon	Nanometer-sized tubes composed mainly of CARBON. Such nanotubes are used as probes for high-resolution structural and chemical imaging of biomolecules with ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY.	Buckytubes,Carbon Nanotubes,Nanoribbons,Buckytube,Carbon Nanotube,Nanoribbon,Nanotube, Carbon