Figure 1

Uptake of DEP by T lymphocytes and dose–response analysis of apoptosis/necrosis after nanoparticulate exposure. (A) TEM analysis was performed on T cells after 48 h incubation with E4 or E5 nanoparticles (both used at 30 μg/ml). DEP were found to be localized in membrane-surrounded vesicles in the cytoplasmic region (E4, left panel and E5, right panel). Note the integrity of ultrastructural features of mitochondria and the absence of signs of cell injury. (B) Apoptosis/necrosis assay involving dual staining with AV and PI was carried out using flow cytometry. Results of dose–response experiments performed at 48 h are shown. Data referred to both AV positive/PI negative and PI positive T lymphocytes are shown and are presented as mean ± SD of independent experiments performed in cells from 15 healthy donors.