Figure 5.

Determination of particle uptake and/or adhesion by flow cytometry. In the beginning, after 24 hrs and after 48 hrs of the incubation of EL4 cells with SPION^Citrate, cells were stained with Hoe to exclude excess particles from analysis and with DiI to detect viable cells with intact mitochondrial membrane potential. (A) Side scatter values of viable cells were analyzed for changes in cell granularity, which occurred with uptake and adhesion of particles. (B) The fluorescent dye LY was added to the cell culture medium before incubation of cells with nanoparticles. During particle uptake into the cell, LY was co-ingested and hence served as a parameter for particle uptake. The experiments shown in this figure were performed in triplicate in at least three independent experiments. The mean values with standard deviations are shown. Significance of treated cells compared to control at the same time point is represented by asterisks.

Abbreviations: DiI, DiIC₁(5) (1,1′-dimethyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindodicarbocyanine iodide); Hoe, Hoechst 33342; LY, Lucifer Yellow; SSc, side scatter; SPION, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle.