Study of the graphene oxide effects on the microfilament and microtubule network in MCF7 cell line

Abstract

Graphene oxide is one of the derivatives of graphene and is a chemically modified compound that exhibits a highly oxidized form of graphite. Like graphene, it has good thermal stability, high electronic conductivity and high mechanical resistance. In recent years, these nanomaterials have gained prominence in the scientific world due to their potential for applications in different areas of knowledge. For biomedical studies they are very interesting because they are able to contribute to improve the diagnosis of cancer, can serve as carriers of drugs and still be used in photothermal therapy. Graphene oxide, after being internalized by the cell, can affect cellular components and membranes, impairing normal cell biology. It was also observed that in some cell types like osteoblast the internalization of the graphene oxide changes the cycle and the cell death by mechanism dependent of the actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, in cells of human breast cancer in culture, the reduction of cell migration was observed by modification of the actin filaments. Further studies are needed, however, on the effects of cytoplasmic accumulation of graphene oxide and its interaction with other components of the cytoskeleton, such as microtubules, and their consequences on cell biology. (AU)