Evaluation of Immunotoxicity of Fullerenol C60(OH)22-24 on Human Peripheral Blood T and B Lymphocytes.

Polyhydroxylated fullerenes (fullerenols) C60(OH)n are allotropes of carbon with promising biomedical applications due to their hydrophilicity, chemical stability, and low toxicity profile. We studied the biocompatibility of fullerenol C60(OH)22-24 with human peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes and adhesion/internalization fullerenol by these cells. A mild cytotoxic effect on T cells was found only at high (100 and 200 μg/ml) concentrations of fullerenol (cell viability decreased by 1-2.5%), whereas B cells were resistant to its cytotoxic effects. Interestingly, the absolute number of viable T cells increased after 72-h incubation with high fullerenol concentrations (50, 100, and 200 μg/ml). We also observed active time- and concentration-dependent adhesion/internalization of fullerenol nanoparticles by lymphocytes, especially B cells. Thus, preliminary evaluation of the immunotoxic potential of fullerenol C60(OH)22-24 toward T and B lymphocytes derived from human peripheral blood was performed.