Multiwalled carbon nanotubes inhibit cell migration and invasion by destroying actin cytoskeleton via mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian cancer cells

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on cytotoxicity and tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer cells, and further explored its mechanism. Results: MWCNTs significantly inhibited cell viability and the clone number, increased the cell number of S phage, promoted cell apoptosis, as well as suppressed cell migration and invasion, and damaged the structure of actin cytoskeleton in a dose-dependent manner in SKOV3. Moreover, MWCNTs treatment obviously damaged the structure of actin cytoskeleton of SKOV3, and inhibited the activities of mitochondrial electron transfer chain complexes I-V. Conclusions: MWCNTs might influence the assembly of actin cytoskeleton by disrupting mitochondrial function, thereby inhibiting migration and invasion of SKOV3. Methods: The characterization of MWCNTs was analyzed by UV visible light absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SKOV3 cells were exposed to different doses of MWCNTs. Then, in vitro cytotoxicity of MWCNTs was evaluated by MTT assay, colony-forming assay, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis assay. Moreover, the effects of MWCNTs on cell migration and invasion as well as actin cytoskeleton were explored in SKOV3 cells. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential and the activities of mitochondrial electron transfer chain complexes I-V were measured.