Aim: The systemic administration of graphene nanoribbons for a variety of in vivo biomedical applications will result in their interaction with cellular and protein components of the circulatory system. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro effects of graphene nanoribbons (O-GNR) noncovalently functionalized with PEG-DSPE (1, 2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N [amino (polyethylene glycol)]) on some of the key hematological and vascular components of the circulatory system.

Methods: Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the nanoparticles. ELISA-based assays, bright-field microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and colorimetric assays were used to assess toxicological effects.

Results: Our findings taken together indicate that low concentrations of O-GNR-PEG-DSPE (<80 μg/ml) are relatively nontoxic to the hematological components, and could be employed for diagnostic and therapeutic applications especially for diseases of the circulatory system. Graphene nanoribbons are a class of carbon-based nanostructures derived from multiwalled carbon nanotubes that have been shown to have unique properties and high potential for drug-delivery applications in recent studies from our group. However, further development of this nanoparticle for biomedical applications will be possible only after its interactions with components of the circulatory system are suitably characterized. Toward that goal, this study is aimed at identifying potential toxicities of graphene nanoribbons in the circulatory system. Results from this study will give us indications about safe dosages and lay the foundation toward further animal studies.

Keywords: TEM; endotheial toxicity; graphene; hematotoxicity; immunotoxicity; multiwalled carbon nanotubes.