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Zhao H, Qi M, Gong Y, Chen H, Wang D, Fan J, Wang Y, Wang J. Danggui Buxue Decoction: Comparative pharmacokinetic research on six bio-active components in different states by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after oral administration. J Sep Sci 2023; 46:e2200794. [PMID: 36680767 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202200794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Danggui Buxue Decoction is a classic formula containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix in a 5:1 ratio and has been extensively used to treat blood deficiency for thousands of years. The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in plasma protein binding, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution of Danggui Buxue Decoction in normal and blood-deficient rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The effects on peripheral blood routine were verified. The compounds exhibited higher plasma protein binding and absorption in the model group compared to the control group, except formononetin. The six ingredients were distributed widely, and the highest concentrations were detected in the heart and uterus. As has been demonstrated in the previous study of the effect of Danggui Buxue Decoction, its potential is to serve as an effective traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating cardiovascular diseases and impacting estrogenic properties, which reveals the potential target organs of Danggui Buxue Decoction the heart and uterus. Our findings suggested that the absorption and distribution of different components in Danggui Buxue Decoction varies depending on the pathological state, molecular weight, lipid solubility, transporter-mediated efflux, and other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedi Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Miao Qi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Gong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Han Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jing Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yanmin Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jingjuan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
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Lu B, Wang J, Scheepers PTJ, Hendriks AJ, Nolte TM. Generic prediction of exocytosis rate constants by size-based surface energies of nanoparticles and cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17813. [PMID: 36280701 PMCID: PMC9592603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20761-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology brings benefits in fields such as biomedicine but nanoparticles (NPs) may also have adverse health effects. The effects of surface-modified NPs at the cellular level have major implications for both medicine and toxicology. Semi-empirical and mechanism-based models aid to understand the cellular transport of various NPs and its implications for quantitatively biological exposure while avoiding large-scale experiments. We hypothesized relationships between NPs-cellular elimination, surface functionality and elimination pathways by cells. Surface free energy components were used to characterize the transport of NPs onto membranes and with lipid vesicles, covering both influences by size and hydrophobicity of NPs. The model was built based on properties of neutral NPs and cells, defining Van de Waals forces, electrostatic forces and Lewis acid-base (polar) interactions between NPs and vesicles as well as between vesicles and cell membranes. We yielded a generic model for estimating exocytosis rate constants of various neutral NPs by cells based on the vesicle-transported exocytosis pathways. Our results indicate that most models are well fitted (R2 ranging from 0.61 to 0.98) and may provide good predictions of exocytosis rate constants for NPs with differing surface functionalities (prediction errors are within 2 times for macrophages). Exocytosis rates differ between cancerous cells with metastatic potential and non-cancerous cells. Our model provides a reference for cellular elimination of NPs, and intends for medical applications and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Lu
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul T. J. Scheepers
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Toxicology, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Jan Hendriks
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom M. Nolte
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Lu B, Jan Hendriks A, Nolte TM. A generic model based on the properties of nanoparticles and cells for predicting cellular uptake. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 209:112155. [PMID: 34678608 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in industry and technology due to their small size and versatility, which makes them easy to enter organisms and pose threats to human and ecological health. Given the particularity and complex structure of NPs, statistical models alone cannot reliably predict uptake. Hence, we developed a generic model for predicting the cellular uptake of NPs with organic coatings, based on physicochemical interactions underlying uptake. The model utilized the concentration, experimental conditions and properties of NPs viz. size, surface coating and coverage. These parameters were converted to surface energy components and surface potentials, and combined with the components and potential for a cell membrane. For NPs uptake, we constructed energetic profiles and barriers for adsorption and permeation onto/through cell membranes. The relationships derived were compared to experimental uptake data. The model provided accurate and robust uptake estimates for neutrally charged unhalogenated NPs and six different cell types. We envision that the model provides a reference for cellular accumulation of neutral NPs and (ecological/human) risk assessment of NPs or microparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Lu
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Zanella D, Bossi E, Gornati R, Faria N, Powell J, Bernardini G. The direct permeation of nanoparticles through the plasma membrane transiently modifies its properties. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:182997. [PMID: 31150635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The exposure to metal nanoparticles (NPs) has increased with their widespread use in industry, research and medicine. It is well known that NPs may enter cells and that this mechanism is crucial to exert both the therapeutic and toxicity effects. The main cellular entrance route is endocytosis-based, however, recent experimental studies, have reported that NPs can also enter the cell crossing directly the plasma membrane, it is thus important to investigate this alternative internalization mechanism. Size, surface chemistry, solubility and shape play a role in NP ability of entering the cell, but it is still to be elucidated how these properties act on cell membrane. We have demonstrated that a direct permeation of metal oxide NPs through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane can occur, giving direct access to the cytoplasm. In this paper, using the powerful tool of Xenopus laevis oocytes and two electrode Voltage Clamp, we have investigated several parameters that can influence the direct crossing. The most significant of them is the NP hydrodynamic size as clearly shown by the comparison of the behaviour between Co3O4 and NiO NPs. By collecting biophysical membrane parameters in different conditions, we have shown that NPs that are able to cross the membrane share the ability to maintain a hydrodynamic size lower than 200 nm. The presence of this route of entrance must be considered for a better comprehension of the effect at intracellular level considering possible mechanism in order to a safer design of engineered NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zanella
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, I-21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Elena Bossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, I-21100 Varese, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, I-21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Nuno Faria
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OES, UK
| | - Jonathan Powell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OES, UK
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, I-21100 Varese, Italy.
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5
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Zanella D, Bossi E, Gornati R, Bastos C, Faria N, Bernardini G. Iron oxide nanoparticles can cross plasma membranes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11413. [PMID: 28900209 PMCID: PMC5595914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron deficiency is a major global public health problem despite decades of efforts with iron supplementation and fortification. The issue lies on the poor tolerability of the standard of care soluble iron salts, leading to non-compliance and ineffective correction of iron-deficiency anaemia. Iron nanoformulations have been proposed to fortify food and feed to address these issues. Since it was just postulated that some nanoparticles (NPs) might cross the plasma membrane also by a non-endocytotic pathway gaining direct access to the cytoplasm, we have studied iron NP uptake under this perspective. To this aim, we have used a recently tested protocol that has proven to be capable of following the cytoplasmic changes of iron concentration dynamics and we have demonstrated that iron oxide NPs, but not zerovalent iron NPs nor iron oxide NPs that were surrounded by a protein corona, can cross plasma membranes. By electrophysiology, we have also shown that a small and transient increase of membrane conductance parallels NP crossing of plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zanella
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, I-21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Elena Bossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, I-21100, Varese, Italy.
- Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131, Milan, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, I-21100, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlos Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK
| | - Nuno Faria
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, I-21100, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131, Milan, Italy
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6
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Nolte TM, Peijnenburg WJGM, Hendriks AJ, van de Meent D. Quantitative structure-activity relationships for green algae growth inhibition by polymer particles. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 179:49-56. [PMID: 28363094 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
After use and disposal of chemical products, many types of polymer particles end up in the aquatic environment with potential toxic effects to primary producers like green algae. In this study, we have developed Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSARs) for a set of highly structural diverse polymers which are capable to estimate green algae growth inhibition (EC50). The model (N = 43, R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 0.28) is a regression-based decision tree using one structural descriptor for each of three polymer classes separated based on charge. The QSAR is applicable to linear homo polymers as well as copolymers and does not require information on the size of the polymer particle or underlying core material. Highly branched polymers, non-nitrogen cationic polymers and polymeric surfactants are not included in the model and thus cannot be evaluated. The model works best for cationic and non-ionic polymers for which cellular adsorption, disruption of the cell wall and photosynthesis inhibition were the mechanisms of action. For anionic polymers, specific properties of the polymer and test characteristics need to be known for detailed assessment. The data and QSAR results for anionic polymers, when combined with molecular dynamics simulations indicated that nutrient depletion is likely the dominant mode of toxicity. Nutrient depletion in turn, is determined by the non-linear interplay between polymer charge density and backbone flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dik van de Meent
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Nolte TM, Hartmann NB, Kleijn JM, Garnæs J, van de Meent D, Jan Hendriks A, Baun A. The toxicity of plastic nanoparticles to green algae as influenced by surface modification, medium hardness and cellular adsorption. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 183:11-20. [PMID: 27978483 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To investigate processes possibly underlying accumulation and ecological effects of plastic nano-particles we have characterized their interaction with the cell wall of green algae. More specifically, we have investigated the influence of particle surface functionality and water hardness (Ca2+ concentration) on particle adsorption to algae cell walls. Polystyrene nanoparticles with different functional groups (non-functionalized, -COOH and -NH2) as well as coated (starch and PEG) gold nanoparticles were applied in these studies. Depletion measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that adsorption of neutral and positively charged plastic nanoparticles onto the cell wall of P. subcapitata was stronger than that of negatively charged plastic particles. Results indicated that binding affinity is a function of both inter-particle and particle-cell wall interactions which are in turn influenced by the medium hardness and particle concentration. Physicochemical modelling using DLVO theory was used to interpret the experimental data, using also values for interfacial surface free energies. Our study shows that material properties and medium conditions play a crucial role in the rate and state of nanoparticle bio-adsorption for green algae. The results show that the toxicity of nanoparticles can be better described and assessed by using appropriate dose metrics including material properties, complexation/agglomeration behavior and cellular attachment and adsorption. The applied methodology provides an efficient and feasible approach for evaluating potential accumulation and hazardous effects of nanoparticles to algae caused by particle interactions with the algae cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, B113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Nanna B Hartmann
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, B113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J Mieke Kleijn
- Physical Chemistry Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, NL-6708WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jørgen Garnæs
- Danish Fundamental Metrology, Matematiktorvet 307, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Dik van de Meent
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment RIVM, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anders Baun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, B113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Lee BL, Kuczera K, Middaugh CR, Jas GS. Permeation of the three aromatic dipeptides through lipid bilayers: Experimental and computational study. J Chem Phys 2016; 144:245103. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4954241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brent L. Lee
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
| | - Krzysztof Kuczera
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
| | - C. Russell Middaugh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, USA
| | - Gouri S. Jas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, USA
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9
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Dahoumane SA, Wujcik EK, Jeffryes C. Noble metal, oxide and chalcogenide-based nanomaterials from scalable phototrophic culture systems. Enzyme Microb Technol 2016; 95:13-27. [PMID: 27866608 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phototrophic cell or tissue cultures can produce nanostructured noble metals, oxides and chalcogenides at ambient temperatures and pressures in an aqueous environment and without the need for potentially toxic solvents or the generation of dangerous waste products. These "green" synthesized nanobiomaterials can be used to fabricate biosensors and bio-reporting tools, theranostic vehicles, medical imaging agents, as well as tissue engineering scaffolds and biomaterials. While successful at the lab and experimental scales, significant barriers still inhibit the development of higher capacity processes. While scalability issues in traditional algal bioprocess engineering are well known, such as the controlled delivery of photons and gas-exchange, the large-scale algal synthesis of nanomaterials introduces additional parameters to be understood, i.e., nanoparticle (NP) formation kinetics and mechanisms, biological transport of metal cations and the effect of environmental conditions on the final form of the NPs. Only after a clear understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms can the strain selection, photobioreactor type, medium pH and ionic strength, mean light intensity and other relevant parameters be specified for an optimal bioprocess. To this end, this mini-review will examine the current best practices and understanding of these phenomena to establish a path forward for this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Amar Dahoumane
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yachay Tech University, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador
| | - Evan K Wujcik
- Materials Engineering and Nanosensor (MEAN) Laboratory, Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA
| | - Clayton Jeffryes
- Nanobiomaterials and Bioprocessing (NAB) Laboratory, Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA.
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10
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Bossi E, Zanella D, Gornati R, Bernardini G. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles can enter inside the cells by crossing plasma membranes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22254. [PMID: 26924527 PMCID: PMC4770291 DOI: 10.1038/srep22254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of nanoparticles (NPs) to be promptly uptaken by the cells makes them both dangerous and useful to human health. It was recently postulated that some NPs might cross the plasma membrane also by a non-endocytotic pathway gaining access to the cytoplasm. To this aim, after having filled mature Xenopus oocytes with Calcein, whose fluorescence is strongly quenched by divalent metal ions, we have exposed them to different cobalt NPs quantifying quenching as evidence of the increase of the concentration of Co(2+) released by the NPs that entered into the cytoplasm. We demonstrated that cobalt oxide NPs, but not cobalt nor cobalt oxide NPs that were surrounded by a protein corona, can indeed cross plasma membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.,Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Zanella
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy
| | - Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.,Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria; Via Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.,Interuniversity Center "The Protein Factory", Politecnico di Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milan, Italy
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11
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Esfahani MR, Stretz HA, Wells MJM. Abiotic reversible self-assembly of fulvic and humic acid aggregates in low electrolytic conductivity solutions by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential investigation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 537:81-92. [PMID: 26282742 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of humic substances and their interaction with filtration media (membranes, soils) has implications for our understanding of membrane fouling during water treatment, the facilitated transport of contaminants, and the transport of organic matter through the microbial loop. To investigate the aggregation of fulvic and humic acids in low electrolytic conductivity solutions, laboratory studies of simulated environmental water samples as well as actual environmental water samples were examined. Intensity-, volume-, and number-based particle size distributions (PSDs) were obtained by dynamic light scattering. Aggregates were categorized into three ranges, i.e., 10-100 nm, 100-1000 nm, and >1 μm. Individual biomacromolecules and the aggregates between 10 nm and 1 μm were presumed to be precursors for the formation of a large 5-μm-sized-particle. The self-assembly of the large-in-volume, few-in-number, 5-μm-sized particle was observed in real-time and occurred in unfiltered samples and in samples filtered (0.45 μm) at a nominal size one order of magnitude smaller. The supramicrometer-sized particle formed, dissipated, and spontaneously re-formed over turbulent/quiescent cycles in the presence of sodium azide indicating reversible abiotic self-assembly. Zeta potential analyses demonstrated that colloidal stability increased as concentration increased. DLS studies of the environmental water samples were comparable to those of the simulated laboratory samples. The operational range of the instrumentation used in these experiments was 0.6 nm-6 μm; therefore, aggregates larger than 6 μm may exist in these solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Rabbani Esfahani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, United States; Center for the Management, Utilization and Protection of Water Resources, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, United States
| | - Holly A Stretz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, United States
| | - Martha J M Wells
- EnviroChem Services, 224 Windsor Drive, Cookeville, TN 38506, United States.
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