Effects of Transport Inhibitors on the Cellular Uptake of Carboxylated Polystyrene Nanoparticles in Different Cell Lines
2011

How Transport Inhibitors Affect Nanoparticle Uptake in Different Cell Lines

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tiago dos Santos, Juan Varela, Iseult Lynch, Anna Salvati, Kenneth A. Dawson

Primary Institution: Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University College Dublin, Ireland

Hypothesis

This study investigates the mechanisms by which carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles are internalized by various human cell lines using pharmacological inhibitors.

Conclusion

The study found that nanoparticles can enter different cell types through various endocytic pathways, and their uptake is significantly influenced by the cytoskeleton and transport inhibitors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Nanoparticle uptake was energy-dependent across all cell types studied.
  • Different inhibitors affected nanoparticle uptake differently in each cell line.
  • Actin depolymerization significantly reduced nanoparticle uptake in HeLa and 1321N1 cells.

Takeaway

This research shows that tiny particles can get into cells in different ways, and some medicines can stop them from doing so.

Methodology

The study used flow cytometry to measure nanoparticle uptake in HeLa, A549, and 1321N1 cells after treatment with various endocytosis inhibitors.

Limitations

The inhibitors used may not fully inhibit all endocytic pathways, and the study focused on only a few cell lines.

Participant Demographics

The study involved human cell lines: HeLa (cervical cancer), A549 (lung carcinoma), and 1321N1 (brain astrocytoma).

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024438

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