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Visualizing the intracellular aggregation behavior of gold nanoclusters via structured illumination microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy.
- Source :
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The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2024 Feb 20; Vol. 912, pp. 169153. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 08. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Given the growing concerns about nanotoxicity, numerous studies have focused on providing mechanistic insights into nanotoxicity by imaging the intracellular fate of nanoparticles. A suitable imaging strategy is necessary to uncover the intracellular behavior of nanoparticles. Although each conventional technique has its own limitations, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) combine the advantages of chemical element mapping, ultrastructural analysis, and cell dynamic tracking. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), synthesized using 6-aza-2 thiothymine (ATT) and L-arginine (Arg) as reducing and protecting ligands, referred to as Arg@ATT-AuNCs, have been widely used in biological sensing and imaging, medicine, and catalyst yield. Based on their intrinsic fluorescence and high electron density, Arg@ATT-AuNCs were selected as a model. STEM imaging showed that both the single-particle and aggregated states of Arg@ATT-AuNCs were compartmentally distributed within a single cell. Real-time 3D-SIM imaging showed that the fluorescent Arg@ATT-AuNCs gradually aggregated after being located in the lysosomes of living cells, causing lysosomal damage. The aggregate formation of Arg@ATT-AuNCs was triggered by the low-pH medium, particularly in the lysosomal acidic environment. The proposed dual imaging strategy was verified using other types of AuNCs, which is valuable for studying nano-cell interactions and any associated cytotoxicity, and has the potential to be a useful approach for exploring the interaction of cells with various nanoparticles.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no declarations of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-1026
- Volume :
- 912
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Science of the total environment
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38072282
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169153