Inorganic transition metal dichalcogenide nanostructures are interesting for several biomedical applications such as coating for medical devices (e.g. endodontic files, catheter stents) and reinforcement of scaffolds for tissue engineering. However, their impact on human blood is unknown. A unique nanomaterial surface-engineering chemical methodology was used to fabricate functional polyacidic polyCOOH inorganic nanotubes of tungsten disulfide towards covalent binding of any desired molecule/organic species via chemical activation/reactivity of this former polyCOOH shell. The impact of these nanotubes on hemolysis, platelet aggregation and blood coagulation has been assessed using spectrophotometric measurement, light transmission aggregometry and thrombin generation assays. The functionalized nanotubes do not induce hemolysis but decrease platelet aggregation and induce coagulation through intrinsic pathway activation. The functional nanotubes were found to be more thrombogenic than the non-functional ones, suggesting lower hemocompatibility and increased thrombotic risk with functionalized tungsten disulfide nanotubes. These functionalized nanotubes should be used with caution in blood-contacting devices.
Keywords: Functional tungsten disulfide nanotubes; Hemocompatibility; Safety; Thrombin generation.