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Analyzing Cellular Internalization of Nanoparticles and Bacteria by Multi-spectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
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Rapid Internalization of Nanoparticles by Human Cells at the Single Particle Level
Ceri J Richards1,2, Thomas C Q Burgers2, Rifka Vlijm2
1Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
ACS Nano
|August 29, 2023
Summary
Most nanoparticles interacting with cells desorb, but internalized particles enter rapidly within seconds. This rapid uptake suggests pre-existing or novel endocytic pathways, offering quantitative insights into nanoparticle cell entry and trafficking.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Nanoparticle uptake is crucial for nanomedicine and nanosafety.
- Quantitative aspects of nanoparticle internalization, such as rate and number, are understudied.
- Understanding nanoparticle-cell interactions requires detailed kinetic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively investigate the kinetics of nanoparticle internalization by human embryonic kidney cells.
- To determine the time scales of nanoparticle adsorption, desorption, and internalization.
- To explore the mechanisms and pathways involved in rapid nanoparticle uptake.
Main Methods:
- Live-cell confocal and super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence microscopy.
- Tracking of 40-200 nm carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles on cell membranes.
- Monitoring of particle desorption, internalization, and subsequent intracellular trafficking.
Main Results:
- The majority of adsorbed nanoparticles desorb from the cell membrane.
- Most internalized nanoparticles are taken up within seconds, irrespective of size.
- Some nanoparticles exhibit rapid exit from cells within tens of seconds.
Conclusions:
- Rapid nanoparticle internalization suggests involvement of ongoing endocytic events or novel pathways.
- Quantitative kinetic data provide crucial insights into nanoparticle-cell interactions.
- The study highlights the dynamic nature of nanoparticle trafficking at the cellular level.
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