“Siglec-14” Receptors on Human Macrophages Detect Carbon Nanotubes and Provoke Inflammation; Extracellular Receptors on Human Macrophages Have Aromatic Rings That Mediate Engulfment of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are innovative nanomaterials with potential applications across several fields. However, we do not fully know the risk they pose to humans, and studies have shown that multiwalled CNTs trigger an immune response in mice. Now, scientists in Japan have identified that “Siglec-14” receptors on macrophages are involved in CNT recognition in humans. Their findings provide some much-needed insights on the cellular mechanisms underlying the interactions between biological systems and CNTs.