Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Immunological Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Peptides

TLDR

Carbon nanotubes are increasingly attractive for medicinal chemistry, and a water‑soluble peptide‑functionalized system could benefit diagnostics and vaccine delivery. We developed a protocol that produces highly water‑soluble carbon nanotubes capable of covalently linking peptides; a foot‑and‑mouth disease virus peptide conjugated to these nanotubes retained its structure, was recognized by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and elicited specific antibody responses.

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (NTs) are becoming highly attractive molecules for applications in medicinal chemistry. The main problem of insolubility in aqueous media has been solved by developing a synthetic protocol that allows highly water-soluble carbon NTs to be obtained. As a result, biologically active peptides can be easily linked through a stable covalent bond to carbon NTs. We have demonstrated that a bound peptide from the foot-and-mouth disease virus, corresponding to the 141−159 region of the viral envelope protein VP1, retained the structural integrity and was recognized by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. In addition, this peptide−NT conjugate is immunogenic, eliciting antibody responses of the right specificity. Such a system could be greatly advantageous for diagnostic purposes and could find future applications in vaccine delivery.