Figure 10
Z- stack image series to analyse the phagocytic activity of THP-1 macrophages in the tetraculture present in the apical compartment of the system after exposure to 50 nm SiO 2 -Rhodamine nanoparticles with the Vitrocell™ system. Tetracultures of A549, differentiated THP-1, HMC-1 and EA.hy 926 cells exposed to an aerosol of 50 nm SiO2-Rhodamine particles for 30 minutes using the Vitrocell™ aerosol exposure system. Afterwards cells were fixed, labelled and the distribution of SiO2-Rhodamine particles was analysed via CLSM. Cellular membranes stained with cell mask deep red dye (red) and nuclei with DAPI (blue) are shown. Macrophage-like cells are counterstained with an anti-CD11b-antibody. Signals of ingested SiO2-Rhodamine particles were detected in differentiated THP-1 cells (white arrows), sitting on top of the A549 cells but not in A549 or HMC-1 cells. A: The image shows an x–y projection with the respective side views. B and C show a macrophage-like cell from A in a higher magnification.