Not all that glitters is gold: Electron microscopy study on uptake of gold nanoparticles in Daphnia magna and related artifacts

Louise Helene Søgaard Jensen, Lars Michael Skjolding, Amalie Thit Jensen, Sara Nørgaard Sørensen, Carsten Købler, Kristian Mølhave, Anders Baun

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Increasing use of engineered nanoparticles has led to extensive research into their potential hazards to the environment and human health. Cellular uptake from the gut is sparsely investigated, and microscopy techniques applied for uptake studies can result in misinterpretations. Various microscopy techniques were used to investigate internalization of 10-nm gold nanoparticles in Daphnia magna gut lumen and gut epithelial cells following 24-h exposure and outline potential artifacts (i.e., high-contrast precipitates from sample preparation related to these techniques). Light sheet microscopy confirmed accumulation of gold nanoparticles in the gut lumen. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and elemental analysis revealed gold nanoparticles attached to the microvilli of gut cells. Interestingly, the peritrophic membrane appeared to act as a semipermeable barrier between the lumen and the gut epithelium, permitting only single particles through. Structures resembling nanoparticles were also observed inside gut cells. Elemental analysis could not verify these to be gold, and they were likely artifacts from the preparation, such as osmium and iron. Importantly, gold nanoparticles were found inside holocrine cells with disrupted membranes. Thus, false-positive observations of nanoparticle internalization may result from either preparation artifacts or mistaking disrupted cells for intact cells. These findings emphasize the importance of cell integrity and combining elemental analysis with the localization of internalized nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Vol/bind36
Udgave nummer6
Sider (fra-til)1503-1509
Antal sider7
ISSN1552-8618
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2017

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