Serum-derived nanoparticles: de novo generation and growth in vitro, and internalization by mammalian cells in culture

ORCiD

David M. Ojcius: 0000-0003-1461-4495

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nanomedicine

ISSN

1743-5889

Volume

6

Issue

4

DOI

10.2217/nnm.11.24

First Page

643

Last Page

658

Publication Date

6-1-2011

Abstract

Aim: While nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to form spontaneously in body fluids such as serum, the possible implications of these NPs for cell cultures that use supporting media containing serum remain unclear. To understand the de novo formation of NPs, we delineated their growth characteristics, chemical composition and interaction with cells in culture. Materials & Methods: Serum-derived particles were analyzed using a combination of dynamic light scattering, turbidity measurements, spectroscopic techniques and optical/electron microscopies. Results: NPs were found in serum and in serum-containing medium and they increased in size and number during incubation. The mineral particles, consisting mainly of calcium carbonate phosphate bound to organics such as proteins, underwent an amorphous-to-crystalline transformation with time. Serum-derived particles were internalized by the cells tested, eventually reaching lysosomal compartments. Conclusion: The spontaneous formation of serum-derived NPs and their internalization by cells may have overlooked effects on cultured cells in vitro as well as potential pathophysiological consequences in vivo.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS