The study of the interaction of human mesenchymal stem cells and monocytes/macrophages with single-walled carbon nanotube films

The influence of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films on two different human cell types was investigated: primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and the monocytes/macrophages cell line THP-1, the focus being on the metabolic activity of these cells. The SWCNT were free of impurity as was confirmed by Raman and VIS-NIR spectroscopy. No surfactant was used to minimize the effect of other agents on the behavior of the cells. The results obtained on SWCNT films were compared to those measured on carbon fibers (CF). The metabolic activity of the investigated cell types cultured on SWCNT film was only slightly reduced (about 20%), while carbon fibers led to a much stronger decrease (about 40%). The reaction of the cells depended on the cell number, with more cells showing less metabolic inhibition. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.