Figure 6.

Myotube formation promoted by NP uptake.

Notes: Myotube fusion was analyzed at days 2, 3, and 4 of differentiation when myoblasts were incubated or not (control) with NPs. (A) Fluorescent images of myoblasts and nascent myotubes at days 2 and 4 of differentiation. Myotubes arising from NP-treated myoblasts appeared larger. Nuclei (Hoechst, blue) and myotubes (anti-myosin antibody, red) were labeled. Scale bar, 100 μm. (B) Quantitative analysis of the fusion index. (C) Quantification of myotubes containing at least five nuclei. Their number increased significantly at the early days of differentiation. (D) Quantitative analysis of fusion index for several NP concentrations at day 3. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean; n=3. *Significantly different from the control (P≤0.05).

Abbreviation: NP, silica nanoparticle; FBS, fetal bovine serum.