Cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and cytotoxicity of nanomaterials

Feng Zhao, Ying Zhao, Ying Liu, Xueling Chang, Chunying Chen, Yuliang Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1042 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interactions of nanoparticles with the soft surfaces of biological systems like cells play key roles in executing their biomedical functions and in toxicity. The discovery or design of new biomedical functions, or the prediction of the toxicological consequences of nanoparticles in vivo, first require knowledge of the interplay processes of the nanoparticles with the target cells. This article focusses on the cellular uptake, location and translocation, and any biological consequences, such as cytotoxicity, of the most widely studied and used nanoparticles, such as carbon-based nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, and quantum dots. The relevance of the size and shape, composition, charge, and surface chemistry of the nanoparticles in cells is considered. The intracellular uptake pathways of the nanoparticles and the cellular responses, with potential signaling pathways activated by nanoparticle interactions, are also discussed. The cellular uptake, location and translocation, and biological consequence of nanoparticles are reviewed with regard to the size, shape, composition, charge, and surface chemistry of the nanoparticles in cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1322-1337
Number of pages16
JournalSmall
Volume7
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 23 2011

Keywords

  • cytotoxicity
  • endocytosis
  • intracellular trafficking
  • nanoparticles
  • signaling pathways

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomaterials
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Biotechnology
  • General Medicine

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