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Figure 6 | Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Figure 6

From: Impact of agglomeration state of nano- and submicron sized gold particles on pulmonary inflammation

Figure 6

TEM of macrophages in BALF 24 hours after instillation. Uptake of 50 nm gold particles. Panels A-E concern instillation of gold particles in ultrapure water, panels F and G concern gold particles in PBS. A) Alveolar macrophage with multiple organelles containing 50 nm gold particles that were instilled as a well dispersed suspension containing single particles. B) Enlargement of the square in A, shows the presence of cellular structures containing one or more nanoparticles. C) Accumulation of agglomerates of nano-particles within organelles (arrows); the insert represents the vesicular structure containing over 25 nanoparticles in the black square. D) Same macrophage as shown in C now in HAADF mode. E) An EDX HAADF analysis has been performed on the nanoparticle indicated with an * in the insert and the presence of gold (Au) is confirmed. F) Agglomerated 50 nm gold particles were observed in the macrophages, although heterogeneity in cellular uptake is observed. G) Enlargement of the square in F. H) 250 nm gold particles were also found in the macrophages with an enlargement of the square in I). The bars represent: A, C, D: 2 μm, B: 500 nm, inserts C/D: 100 nm, F and H: 5 μm, G and I: 1 μm

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