Can amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes carry functional nerve growth factor?

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising for drug delivery because they can adsorb molecules and cross cell membranes. However, they are insoluble and tend to clump together, which can be toxic. Functional modification, such as adding amino groups, can improve their solubility and biocompatibility. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is important for neuron survival and repair, but it's unstable and doesn't easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Functionalized CNTs can act as carriers for drugs like NGF, protecting them and delivering them to the target site. This study investigates whether amino-functionalized CNTs can effectively carry NGF. The researchers created complexes of amino-functionalized CNTs and NGF and studied their properties, including toxicity and ability to promote nerve cell growth.

• 1
  Amino functionalization improves the dispersibility of carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complexes.
• 2
  Amino functionalization reduces the toxicity of carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complexes to PC12 cells.
• 3
  Amino functionalization promotes PC12 cell differentiation and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion growth.