Changes in silica nanoparticles upon internalisation by cells: size, aggregation/agglomeration state, mass- and...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Understanding nanoparticle behavior within cells is crucial for assessing biological impact and toxicity.
• Physicochemical changes of nanoparticles post-internalization influence their fate and effects.
• Current methods for analyzing intracellular nanoparticles can be complex and may alter particle characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of a novel methodology for analyzing nanoparticle physicochemical characteristics after cellular uptake.
• To assess particle size, agglomeration state, and concentration within cells using gentle enzymatic lysis.
• To correlate observed nanoparticle transformations with initial particle surface chemistry.

Main Methods:

• Gentle enzymatic lysis of cells containing internalized nanoparticles.
• Direct analysis of cell lysates to determine particle size, agglomeration, and concentration.
• Utilized complementary techniques for characterization and validated measurements.

Main Results:

• All studied silica nanoparticles exhibited partial agglomeration/aggregation after cellular internalization.
• The extent and rate of nanoparticle transformation were strongly correlated with initial particle surface chemistry.
• Multiple nanoparticle populations were identified and characterized; good agreement was found for average particle diameter across techniques.

Conclusions:

• Gentle enzymatic lysis followed by direct analysis is a feasible method for studying intracellular nanoparticle changes.
• Nanoparticle surface chemistry significantly influences their behavior and transformation within the cellular environment.
• Accurate determination of particle concentration requires careful consideration of measurement techniques and their limitations.