On June 19, Nature Communications published online the latest research of the group led by Prof. Zhang Qiang of Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

　　In the article titled “Single-walled carbon-nanohorns improve biocompatibility over nanotubes by triggering less protein-initiated pyroptosis and apoptosis in macrophages”, the authors compared conventional carbon nanotubes (CNT) and single-walled carbon-nanohorns (SNH) in terms of nanotoxicity to macrophages and looked into the interactions of five types of CNT with cells. The article identified mechanisms behind SNH’s involvement in pyroptosis, apoptosis, protein expression, hydrolases leakage, lysosome stress and membrane disturbance, suggesting better biocompatibility of SNH. What was exceptionally important about this research was that the authors discovered a key transmembrane protein, glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), which was involved in the regulation of interaction between CNT and cells. This research offered new approach to the evaluation and application of CNT.

　　Written by: Fan Xiaofei

　　Edited by: Liu Xin

　　Source: Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences