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Nanoscale observation of PM2.5 incorporated into mammalian cells using scanning electron-assisted dielectric

Tomoko Okada1, Tomoaki Iwayama2, Shinya Murakami2

  • 1Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan.

Scientific Reports
|January 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) aggregation within living cells was visualized using novel scanning electron-assisted dielectric-impedance microscopy (SE-ADM). This technology revealed membrane-like structures surrounding PM2.5 aggregates inside cells.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to disease and tissue injury.
  • The precise effects of PM2.5 on cellular structures remain incompletely understood.
  • Novel imaging techniques are needed to study nanoparticle-cell interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intracellular behavior of PM2.5 using a new imaging technology.
  • To visualize PM2.5 aggregation and localization within living mammalian cells.
  • To demonstrate the utility of scanning electron-assisted dielectric-impedance microscopy (SE-ADM) for nanoparticle research.

Main Methods:

  • Development and application of scanning electron-assisted dielectric-impedance microscopy (SE-ADM) for live-cell imaging in aqueous media.
  • Observation of PM2.5 uptake and aggregation in cultured mammalian cells.
  • Confocal Raman microscopy to confirm intracellular localization of PM2.5.

Main Results:

  • SE-ADM successfully visualized PM2.5 incorporation and aggregation within living cells at nanometer resolution.
  • Intracellular PM2.5 aggregates were observed to be enclosed by membrane-like structures.
  • Confocal Raman microscopy confirmed that PM2.5 aggregates were located intracellularly, not on the cell surface.

Conclusions:

  • SE-ADM provides direct visualization of nanoparticle aggregation and intracellular localization in live cells.
  • The study reveals novel insights into the interaction of PM2.5 with cellular components.
  • The SE-ADM method is promising for observing various nanoparticles within cells.

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