Uptake of Cer-RUB vs. Cer-BSA in ovarian cancer cells. A, NBD Cer in cells. After incubations with NBD Cer-BSA complex or NBD Cer-RUB nanomicelles in serum-free medium, OVCAR-3 cancer cells were observed and the photomicrographs (x 200 magnification) were captured by EVOS imaging system. B, HPLC chromatograms of cellular NBD C6-Cer. Lipids were extracted from OVCAR-3 cells incubated with NBD Cer-BSA or NBD Cer-RUB (1 μM; 30, 240 min), and analyzed using HPLC. Cer, NBD C6-ceramide; GlcCer, NBD C6-glucosylceramide. C, NBD Cer levels in A2780 cells, and D, in OVCAR-3 cells after incubations with NBD Cer-BSA complex or NBD Cer-RUB nanomicelles (1 μM). Cellular Cer levels were assessed using HPLC with NBD C6-Cer standards. *, p<0.001 compared to incubations with NBD Cer BSA complex.