Safeera Khan, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA.
Jessica Chavez, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA.
Xuewei Zhu, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
Norman H. Chiu, Department of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
Wendi Zhang, Department of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
Ziyu Yin, Department of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
Jian Han, Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro, NC, 27411, USA.
Jibin Yang, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, 48105 Michigan, USA.
Robert Sigler, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, 48105 Michigan, USA.
Shaomin Tian, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.
Hong Zhu, Department of Pharmacology, Campbell University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA.
Y R. Li, Department of Pharmacology, Campbell University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA.
Jianjun Wei, Department of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA.
Xianwen Yi, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.
Zhenquan Jia, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA.

Document Type

Article

Date of Publication

8-1-2021

Publication Title

Journal of biomedical nanotechnology

First Page

1654

Last Page

1667

Abstract

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is a known biomarker of inflammation and atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death worldwide. As a new class of nanomaterials, carbon nanodots (CNDs) are widely used in bioimaging, diagnostics, and drug delivery. However, there is no current report on how these CNDs affect the cardiovascular system, particularly their potential in mediating endothelial inflammatory dysfunction. This study examined effects of CNDs on Ox-LDL-mediated endothelial dysfunction. CNDs significantly inhibited Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). CNDs significantly inhibited Ox-LDL-mediated adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, which is an essential step in the development of atherosclerosis. Further, CNDs significantly inhibited OxLDL-induced expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a vital cytokine on monocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells. These results demonstrate CNDs possess anti-inflammatory properties. CNDs also protect cells against Ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy studies demonstrated direct reactive oxygen species-scavenging by CNDs. This result indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of CNDs are most likely due to their direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Animal studies involving mice did not show any morphological or physical changes between the CNDs and control groups. Our study provides evidence of potential of CNDs in reducing Ox-LDL-mediated inflammation and cytotoxicity in HMEC-1.

DOI

10.1166/jbn.2021.3125

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