Membrane cholesterol mediates the cellular effects of monolayer graphene substrates.

ABSTRACT: Graphene possesses extraordinary properties that promise great potential in biomedicine. However, fully leveraging these properties requires close contact with the cell surface, raising the concern of unexpected biological consequences. Computational models have demonstrated that graphene preferentially interacts with cholesterol, a multifunctional lipid unique to eukaryotic membranes. Here we demonstrate an interaction between graphene and cholesterol. We find that graphene increases cell membrane cholesterol and potentiates neurotransmission, which is mediated by increases in the number, release probability, and recycling rate of synaptic vesicles. In fibroblasts grown on graphene, we also find an increase in cholesterol, which promotes the activation of P2Y receptors, a family of recept

SUBMITTER: Kitko KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5824811 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature