Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378:15
1 3
leading to the formation of engineered cardiac tissues with stronger contraction
capacity. The in vitro studies suggested that hybrid SWCNT/collagen hydrogels can
be promising tissue scaffolds for cardiac regeneration after myocardial arrest. In a
similar line, a recent study described a biohybrid hydrogel prepared from hydrazidefunctionalized CNTs and solubilized pericardial matrix. This hydrogel is a suitable
environment for maturation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, constituting a promising material for stem cell-based cardiac tissue engineering [209].
4.4.3 CNTs and Stem Cells
Stem cells (SC) have attracted the attention of researchers around the world during
the last decade due to their ability to self-renew and differentiate, depicting multiple
potential applications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. CNTs presented excellent properties as culture substrate [210], having the ability to dynamically direct the SC lineage, modulating proliferation and differentiation of various
types of SC. Different studies have reported the improvements achieved by growing
SC in CNT-based nanocomposites. These materials were able to promote differentiation of mouse neural SC to neurons and oligodendrocytes [211], neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells [212], and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells [213], among others.
4.5 Other Applications
The versatility of carbon nanotubes in biomedicine and preclinical setup is very
large, with many studies reporting the use of CNTs to solve the problem under investigation. Carbon nanotubes are being used, for example, to construct brain electrodes
[214], or as biosensors for bone cells [215] or the influenza virus [112]. By linking
CNTs to antigenic peptides, they could improve the major hurdles associated with
vaccine delivery [216]. In fact, they can act as excellent vaccine carrier systems having a great potential to stimulate the innate immune response. Also, the combination
of CNTs with antibiotics could help to overcome the growing problem of antibiotics
resistance [190]. When properly functionalized, CNTs can also be used in antiviral
drug delivery [217].
5 Conclusions
Bionanotechnology is a new promising tool for improving the management of
numerous pathologies. A wide range of nanomaterials have been prepared, characterized, and evaluated for numerous biomedical applications to solve specific
problems not achievable with classical approaches. Among them, carbon nanotubes
present unique features and physical, chemical, and biological properties. These
intrinsic attributes can be notably improved though coating, surface functionalization, and decoration with different molecules, ligands, or nanostructures. All of
204
Reprinted from the journal
1 3
leading to the formation of engineered cardiac tissues with stronger contraction
capacity. The in vitro studies suggested that hybrid SWCNT/collagen hydrogels can
be promising tissue scaffolds for cardiac regeneration after myocardial arrest. In a
similar line, a recent study described a biohybrid hydrogel prepared from hydrazidefunctionalized CNTs and solubilized pericardial matrix. This hydrogel is a suitable
environment for maturation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, constituting a promising material for stem cell-based cardiac tissue engineering [209].
4.4.3 CNTs and Stem Cells
Stem cells (SC) have attracted the attention of researchers around the world during
the last decade due to their ability to self-renew and differentiate, depicting multiple
potential applications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. CNTs presented excellent properties as culture substrate [210], having the ability to dynamically direct the SC lineage, modulating proliferation and differentiation of various
types of SC. Different studies have reported the improvements achieved by growing
SC in CNT-based nanocomposites. These materials were able to promote differentiation of mouse neural SC to neurons and oligodendrocytes [211], neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells [212], and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells [213], among others.
4.5 Other Applications
The versatility of carbon nanotubes in biomedicine and preclinical setup is very
large, with many studies reporting the use of CNTs to solve the problem under investigation. Carbon nanotubes are being used, for example, to construct brain electrodes
[214], or as biosensors for bone cells [215] or the influenza virus [112]. By linking
CNTs to antigenic peptides, they could improve the major hurdles associated with
vaccine delivery [216]. In fact, they can act as excellent vaccine carrier systems having a great potential to stimulate the innate immune response. Also, the combination
of CNTs with antibiotics could help to overcome the growing problem of antibiotics
resistance [190]. When properly functionalized, CNTs can also be used in antiviral
drug delivery [217].
5 Conclusions
Bionanotechnology is a new promising tool for improving the management of
numerous pathologies. A wide range of nanomaterials have been prepared, characterized, and evaluated for numerous biomedical applications to solve specific
problems not achievable with classical approaches. Among them, carbon nanotubes
present unique features and physical, chemical, and biological properties. These
intrinsic attributes can be notably improved though coating, surface functionalization, and decoration with different molecules, ligands, or nanostructures. All of
204
Reprinted from the journal