Dose-Response Effect of Various Concentrations of Cl-Containing Water-Soluble Derivatives of C Fullerenes on a Selective Regulation of Gene Expression in Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts (HELF).

Background: The new synthesized water-soluble derivatives of C fullerenes are of a great interest to researchers since they can potentially be promising materials for drug delivery, bioimaging, biosonding, and tissue engineering. Surface functionalization of fullerene derivatives changes their chemical and physical characteristics, increasing their solubility and suitability for different biological systems applications, however, any changes in functionalized fullerenes can modulate their cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties. The toxic or protective effect of fullerene derivatives on cells is realized through the activation or inhibition of genes and proteins of key signaling pathways in cells responsible for regulation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, proliferation, and apoptosis.