Evaluation of Viability and Proliferation Profiles on Macrophages Treated with Silica Nanoparticles In Vitro via Plate-Based, Flow Cytometry, and Coulter Counter Assays
Figure 3
SiO2 NPs cause cell morphology changes in mouse macrophages. (a) Flow cytometry analysis revealed changes in granularity (SSC) in SiO2 NP-and LPS-treated cells. LPS (0.5 μg/mL) was used as a positive control. Data are represented as histograms each divided in quadrants (Q1 to Q4). Average values of cell percentages (±SEM; ) are also shown in Table 3. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test. * shows statistical difference when compared to corresponding control population. (b) Digital pictures of RAW cells in culture were taken at 24 h (20x). Lower concentration of SiO2 NP (0.001–0.01 g/L) produced increases in cell size (black arrows) whereas high concentration of SiO2 NP (0.1 g/L and 1 g/L) caused cell debris formation and cell death (punctuated black arrow). SiO2 NPs form agglomerates and precipitate at high concentrations (1 g/L; white arrow). (c) Cell size of control and SiO2 NP-treated cells were measured by Coulter counter assay. There is a change in size distribution in SiO2 NP-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Bars show the average of and SEM of 6 samples from independent experiments. * is considered statistical significant as determined by two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test (comparing SiO2 NP-treated samples to control).
