Interactions of fluorescently-labelled silica nanoparticles with living cells

The potential environmental and health effects of particles at the nanoscale have not been well studied as of yet. Using silica nanoparticles as a model, this study aims to elucidate some of the uncertainties behind nanoparticle -cellular interactions, in order to determine if the ubiquitous presence of these nanoparticles in our environment could be detrimental to public health and the environment. The present investigation centers on uptake of nanoparticles by a representative lung cell line (A549 human lung epithelial cells), which is a useful model for investigating nanoparticle-cell interactions as one of the primary routes of exposure to nanoparticles is inhalation through the lung. Varying sizes and concentrations of fluorescently labeled silica nanoparticles manufactured by Kisker, were used to investigate several different aspects of nanoparticle-cell interaction.