Cellular membranes at the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) interface (SWCNT–membrane interface)

The cellular membrane at the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) interface refers to the complex site of physical and chemical interaction between SWCNTs and the biological lipid bilayer. This interface is not a traditional therapeutic target, such as a receptor or enzyme, but is a critical area of study for nanomedicine and toxicology (Nel et al., 2009, Nature Materials). SWCNTs can cross these membranes via mechanisms like endocytosis or direct "nanoneedle" penetration, enabling the delivery of therapeutic agents directly into the cytoplasm (Pantarotto et al., 2004, Chemical Communications). These interactions can also cause unintended consequences, including membrane destabilization, lipid peroxidation, and the triggering of oxidative stress (Lamberti et al., 2015, RSC Advances). While not a target for drug action in the classical sense, the interface is utilized to facilitate the entry of drugs like doxorubicin or paclitaxel, which are often conjugated to the SWCNT surface for targeted delivery. Understanding this interface is essential for the development of carbon-nanotube-based delivery systems and for assessing the environmental and health risks associated with nanomaterial exposure.

Other names

Carbon nanotube-lipid interfaceSWCNT-cell membrane interaction siteNanomaterial-membrane interfaceSWCNT-lipid bilayer interface

Physical translocation and membrane penetration