Influence of graphene oxide nanoparticles on functional activity of Jurkat cell line

Graphene oxide offers properties that make it a promising material for numerous biomedical applications, including various cancer treatment methods. Nanomaterials may overcome certain limitations of conventional chemotherapy. In cancer research, cell lines like Jurkat (T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells) serve as models for investigating tumor treatment strategies. Previous studies have explored the effect of pegylated graphene oxide nanoparticles on some parameters of Jurkat cells, such as metabolism and apoptosis. This study aims to investigate how pegylated graphene oxide nanoparticles, varying in size, surface functionalization, and concentration, influence the functional activity of Jurkat cells, including cell viability, IL-2 production, and CD69 expression, both spontaneously, and following external activation. Jurkat cells were cultured with different types of graphene oxide nanoparticles (100-200 nm and 1-5 ìm; functionalized with linear and branched polyethylene glycol (PEG)) at concentrations of 5 ìg/ mL and 25 ìg/ mL for 24 hours. For assessment of cell parameters under stimulation with different types of particles, phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 50 ìg/mL) was used. Subsequently, the cells were stained with Zombie Aqua and CD69-APC antibody, followed by flow cytometry analysis (CytoFlex S) to determine the percentage of viable cells and CD69-expressing cells. The presence of IL-2 in cell culture supernatants was quantified using ELISA tests. It was observed that nanoparticles at low concentrations did not induce cytotoxic effects; cell viability improved after PHA stimulation. Small particles (100-200 nm) coated with linear PEG induced IL-2 production and CD69 expression. However, 1-5 ìm graphene oxide modified with branched PEG at a concentration of 25 ìg/mL led to a decrease in CD69 expression following PHA-stimulation. It was shown for the first time that pegylated graphene oxide nanoparticles affect the functional activity of Jurkat cells. The influence of particles is dependent on the size, concentration, surface functionalization of graphene oxide, and activation by PHA.