Immunotoxicity of fullerenol
The development of nanopharmacology is associated with active research efforts to find nanoparticles for drug production, aiming to increase their efficacy and reduce toxicity [Zolnik B.S. et al.; 2010]. Studies on nanoparticles for use in the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of diseases have merged into a new field of biomedicine—nanomedicine. Nanoscale carbon allotropes possess attractive properties for many biomedical applications due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, ease of functionalization, unique optical properties, and low toxicity [Holmannova D. et al., 2022].
Polyhydroxylated fullerenes (fullerenols) C60(OH)n are the most promising carbon allotropes due to their hydrophilicity, stability, and low toxicity. The unique antioxidant and, under light irradiation, pro-oxidant properties of these nanoparticles open up vast opportunities for their use in biomedicine and nanopharmacology. In addition, antiviral, antibacterial, antiallergic, and anti-amyloid effects of fullerenols have been described. Active research is also underway regarding their cytostatic and cytoprotective effects [Injac R. et al., 2023]. Due to easy functionalization, fullerenols can be used for the delivery of drugs and genetic vectors into cells, as well as adjuvants in vaccines [Montellano A. et al., 2011; Kuznetsova S.A. et al., 2010; Masalova O.V. et al., 2023; Liu J, et al., 2018].
The use of nanoscale carbon compounds in biomedical developments presents a "challenge" to the immune system, which has not previously encountered such objects. Data on the biological compatibility of these nanoparticles with human immune cells are still being accumulated. The immune system consists of the evolutionarily older innate immunity, which is characterized by rapid response and lower specificity, and adaptive immunity, which is more specific but slower. Since the components of the immune system interact with each other but have obvious differences, our project is dedicated to a detailed study of different types of cells. The biocompatibility of nanoparticles is determined by numerous factors such as concentration and exposure time, size, surface charge, and the ability to form a protein corona. In this project, we will track the dependence of the effects of fullerenol C60(OH)22-24, as the most accessible and promising one, on the above-mentioned factors.
Thus, we will conduct a comprehensive study of the immunomodulatory effects of fullerenol C60(OH)22-24 on the differentiation, cytokine production, functions, and metabolism of normal human cells of innate and adaptive immunity. Since fullerenols, due to their cytostatic effects, may be used in cancer therapy [Qin, Y., et al. 2018], we will conduct similar studies on tumor cell lines THP-1 and Jurkat and compare the effects of these nanoparticles on healthy and malignant cells. The results of the project will expand our understanding of the immunocompatibility of the promising carbon allotrope fullerenol C60(OH)22-24 and provide a comprehensive answer regarding its feasibility for use in biomedicine and nanopharmacology.
Publications:
Lazarev, S., Dolgikh, M., Zamorina, S., Timganova, V., Bochkova, M., & Rayev, M. (2025). Polyhydroxylated fullerenes: A review of biological properties and potential applications in biomedicine. International journal of pharmaceutics, 683, 126055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.126055
Usanina, D.; Zamorina, S.; Bochkova, M.; Timganova, V.; Vlasova, V.; Ponomareva, V.; Dolgikh, M.; Lazarev, S.; Rayev, M. Effect of Fullerenol C60(OH)24 on the Viability and Metabolism of THP-1 Cells. Molecules 2025, 30, 4407. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224407
