Morphological changes of pancreatic cancer cells transfected by dendrimer modified carbon nanotubes / 中华胰腺病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the process of polyamidoamine dendrimer modified single walled carbon nanotubes complexes (CNT-PAMAM-D) entering into pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells, and to evaluate its safety as a vector. Methods The CNT-PAMAM-D were prepared by ultrasound, mixing and rinsing, and the morphology was characterized by atom force microscopy and transmission electron microscope. Then the prepared CNT-PAMAM-D was incubated with human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC3 cells for 12, 48, 72hours, and then the cells were collected. Distribution of CNT-PAMAM-D in cells and cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results After the combination of PAMAM-D and CNT, the surface of CNT was surrounded by dendrimer and nanocomposite particles with a size of 20 nm was formed. It was showed that CNT-PAMAM-D could be transfected into human pancreatic cancer cells by cell pinocytotic way, and it entered cytoplasm at 12 h. With the extension of the transfecting time, CNT-PAMAM-D could enter lysosomal and nucleus, but the morphology and ultrastructure ocf BxPC 3 cells was not significantly changed. Conclusions The CNT-PAMAM-D is a highly effective and safe nano vector.