Figure 2.

2a, 2b, and 2c: Relative level of nanoparticle uptake when incubated with Monensin (clathrin and caveolin independent endocytosis inhibitor) and Nystatin (caveolin endocytosis inhibitor). This suggests that caveolin mediated endocytosis is not involved in the internalization of these nanoparticle systems. 2d, 2e, and 2f: Cytochalasin D and colchicine are phagocytic and macropinocytosis inhibitors, while chlorpromazine inhibits clathrin mediated mechanisms. The results show that there is a statistically significant reduction in nanoparticle uptake for these three inhibitors, but all geometries show very different uptake profiles. This suggests that the mechanisms by which these particles are entering the cells vary and are dependent on the relative shape (or size). For clarity and due to the significant similarities of worms and cylinders, cylindrical data has been moved to the supplemental materials. Please note: graphs are represented as percentage of uptake or the background provided by FACS analysis of cells incubated with spheres or worms without the respective inhibitor. *Indicates statistical significance from control p value < 0.05. Macrophages are alveolar macrophages.