Uptake of palladium nanoparticles by epithelial MDCK cells and peritoneal macrophages

Abstract

The penetration of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) (about 6 nm) into MDCK epithelial cells and peritoneal macrophages has been examined by electron microscopy and compared with the penetration of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Pd NPs enter MDCK cells by crossing the plasma membrane and penetrating cell organelles and the nucleus. The same NPs are unable to cross the plasma membrane in macrophages, which collected them by phagocytosis. Pd NPs cause pronounced damage in MDCK cells and do not visibly alter macrophages. GNPs (about 13 nm) enter MDCK cells and macrophages by endocytosis and phagocy tosis, respectively, without signs of cell alteration.