Carbon nanotubes activate blood platelets by inducing extracellular Ca2+ influx sensitive to calcium entry inhibitors.

Semberova, Jana; De Paoli Lacerda, Silvia H; Simakova, Olga; Holada, Karel; Gelderman, Monique P; Simak, Jan · Nano Lett · 2009

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

To elucidate a mechanism of prothrombotic effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), we report here that multiwalled CNTs activate blood platelets by inducing extracellular Ca(2+) influx that could be inhibited by calcium channel blockers SKF 96365 and 2-APB. We also demonstrate platelet aggregating activity of different single-walled and multiwalled CNTs. In addition, we show that CNT-induced platelet activation is associated with a marked release of platelet membrane microparticles positive for the granular secretion markers CD62P and CD63.

Medical subject headings