The role of RGD-rosette nanotubes in migration and apoptosis of bovine neutrophils

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease complex is the most common disease that causes sig-nificant economic loss, typically in feedlot cattle. Current treatment methods are focused on reducing inflammatory responses, control of airway reactivity and improvement of pulmonary functions without potential side effects. Neutrophils are the key contributors in acute lung inflammation. However, activated neutrophils live longer and cause exces-sive tissue damage upon migration into lungs. Therefore, modulation of their migration and lifespan are attractive approaches in treatment strategies of bovine respiratory dis-ease. Nanotechnology holds significant potential to design new compounds by our ability to manipulate at the nanoscale. Helical rosette nanotubes are a class of novel, biologi-cally inspired, water soluble and metal-free nanotubes. I used helical rosette nanotubes conjugated to arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD-RNT) to study their effects on neu-trophil chemotaxis, cell signaling and apoptosis. Bovine neutrophils exposed to 5% RGD-RNT reduced their migration in response to fMLP (formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine), compared to the non-treated group (P