Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
Application of Fluorescent Nanoparticles to Study Remodeling of the Endo-lysosomal System by Intracellular Bacteria
Published on: January 2, 2015
Evaluation of nanoparticles as endocytic tracers in cellular microbiology
1Abteilung Mikrobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastr. 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany. michael.hensel@biologie.uni-osnabrueck.de.
Abstract:
The study of pathogen interactions with eukaryotic host cells requires the introduction of fluorescent probes to visualize processes such as endocytosis, intracellular transport or host cell manipulation by the pathogen. Here, three types of fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs), i.e. Rhodamine-labeled polymethacrylate (PMA) NPs, silica NPs and gold NPs, were employed to label the host cellular endolysosomal system and monitor manipulations by the pathogen Salmonella enterica. Using live cell imaging, we investigated the performance of NPs in cellular uptake, labeling of endocytic vesicles and lysosomes, as well as interaction with the pathogen. We show that fluorescent gold and silica, but not PMA NPs appropriately label host cell structures and efficiently track rearrangements of the host endosomal system by the activities of intracellular Salmonella. Silica NPs slightly aggregated and located in Salmonella-induced compartments as isolated dots, while gold NPs distributed uniformly inside such structures. Both silica and gold NPs exhibited no adverse impact on either host cells or pathogens, and are versatile tools for infection biology.
Insights
Fluorescent gold and silica nanoparticles effectively label host cell structures, tracking Salmonella manipulations. These nanoparticles are versatile tools for infection biology research.
Area of Science:
- Infection Biology
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Visualizing pathogen interactions with host cells is crucial for understanding infection.
- Fluorescent probes are essential for tracking cellular processes like endocytosis and intracellular transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) for labeling the host endolysosomal system.
- To monitor host cell manipulations by Salmonella enterica using these NPs.
Main Methods:
- Live cell imaging was used to assess NP performance.
- Three types of fluorescent NPs were tested: Rhodamine-labeled polymethacrylate (PMA), silica, and gold NPs.
- Cellular uptake, labeling of endocytic vesicles and lysosomes, and pathogen interaction were investigated.
Main Results:
- Gold and silica NPs effectively labeled host cell structures and tracked Salmonella-induced endosomal system rearrangements.
- Silica NPs aggregated in Salmonella-induced compartments, while gold NPs distributed uniformly.
- Polymethacrylate (PMA) NPs did not appropriately label host cell structures.
Conclusions:
- Fluorescent gold and silica NPs are suitable tools for infection biology.
- These NPs can visualize host cell dynamics during pathogen invasion without adverse effects.
- NPs offer versatile applications for studying host-pathogen interactions.
More Related Videos
18:07Analyzing Cellular Internalization of Nanoparticles and Bacteria by Multi-spectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 8, 2012
11:05Analysis of Endocytic Uptake and Retrograde Transport to the Trans-Golgi Network Using Functionalized Nanobodies in Cultured Cells
Published on: February 21, 2019