Elevated internalization and cytotoxicity of polydispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes in activated B cells can be basis for preferential depletion of activated B cells in vivo

Uptake of polydispersed acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (AF-SWCNTs) in resting and LPS-activated B cells was studied using fluorescence-tagged AF-SWCNTs (FAF-SWCNTs). Activated B cells internalized substantially higher amounts of FAF-SWCNTs [76.5% AF-SWCNT⁺ B cells, mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) 720.6] as compared to the resting B cells [39.5% AF-SWCNT⁺ B cells, MFI 198.5]. B cells in S and G2/M phases were found to have significantly higher uptake of FAF-SWCNTs as compared to cells in G0/G1 phase. Confocal microscopy indicated that AF-SWCNTs were essentially localized on cell membrane in resting B cells, whereas in activated B cells, AF-SWCNTs were distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Targeting of AF-SWCNTs specifically to activated B cells in vivo was examined by first administering intravenously LPS-activated B cells tagged with fluorescence tracer (CFSE) in mice, followed by FAF-SWCNTs through the same route. It was found that FAF-SWCNTs were specifically taken up by CFSE+CD19+-activated B cells (95% FAF-SWCNT⁺ B cells, MFI 3725) as compared to CFSE⁻ CD19⁺ resting B cells (31.1% FAF-SWCNT⁺ B cells, MFI 428). Administration (i.v.) of LPS resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of B cell in mouse spleen that was reduced by 68% by administering AF-SWCNTs. In control mice, the corresponding decrease in B cell proportion was 49%, which was significantly lower (p < 0.005) than the decline in LPS-treated mice. These results indicate that AF-SWCNTs may have the potential as an agent for depleting activated B cells in vivo.