Imaging interactions of metal oxide nanoparticles with macrophage cells by ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy techniques

Germán Plascencia-Villa, Clarise R. Starr, Linda S. Armstrong, Arturo Ponce, Miguel José-Yacamán

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Use of engineered metal oxide nanoparticles in a plethora of biological applications and custom products has warned about some possible dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. Macrophages are key components of the innate immune system used to study possible toxic effects and internalization of different nanoparticulate materials. In this work, ultra-high resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to offer new insights into the dynamical processes of interaction of nanomaterials with macrophage cells dosed with different concentrations of metal oxide nanoparticles (CeO2, TiO2 and ZnO). The versatility of FE-SEM has allowed obtaining a detailed characterization of processes of adsorption and endocytosis of nanoparticles, by using advanced analytical and imaging techniques on complete unstained uncoated cells, including secondary electron imaging, high-sensitive backscattered electron imaging, X-ray microanalysis and stereoimaging. Low voltage BF/DF-STEM confirmed nanoparticle adsorption and internalization into endosomes of CeO2 and TiO2, whereas ZnO develop apoptosis after 24 h of interaction caused by dissolution and invasion of cell nucleus. Ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy techniques provided new insights into interactions of inorganic nanoparticles with macrophage cells with high spatial resolution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1358-1366
Number of pages9
JournalIntegrative Biology (United Kingdom)
Volume4
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Imaging interactions of metal oxide nanoparticles with macrophage cells by ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy techniques'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this