Figure 3

Image analysis of internalized silica nanoparticles into HUVEC under static, stretch and mixed culture conditions. (A) HUVEC cultivated on flexible membranes under static (i + ii) and stretch (iii + iv) conditions were treated with silica nanoparticles under static (i + iv) or stretch (ii + iii) conditions for 24 hours. Cells were extensively washed, fixed and stained (CD31 (green)). Cell nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst dye (blue). Scale bar: 15 μm. (B) Images were used to quantify the cell number and the fluorescent signal coming from internalized silica nanoparticles within the cells using Keyence analyzing software (4 images each). Results shown are means ± SD.