Transmission electron microscopy artifacts in characterization of the nanomaterial-cell interactions

Leung, Yu Hang1; Guo, Mu Yao1,2; Ma, Angel P. Y.3; Ng, Alan M. C.1,2; Djurisic, Aleksandra B.1; Degger, Natalie3; Leung, Frederick C. C.3

2017-07

10.1007/s00253-017-8305-6

APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY   影响因子和分区

0175-7598

1432-0614

We investigated transmission electron microscopy artifacts obtained using standard sample preparation protocols applied to the investigation of Escherichia coli cells exposed to common nanomaterials, such as TiO2, Ag, ZnO, and MgO. While the common protocols for some nanomaterials result only in known issues of nanomaterial-independent generation of anomalous deposits due to fixation and staining, for others, there are reactions between the nanomaterial and chemicals used for post-fixation or staining. Only in the case of TiO2 do we observe only the known issues of nanomaterial-independent generation of anomalous deposits due to exceptional chemical stability of this material. For the other three nanomaterials, different artifacts are observed. For each of those, we identify causes of the observed problems and suggest alternative sample preparation protocols to avoid artifacts arising from the sample preparation, which is essential for correct interpretation of the obtained images and drawing correct conclusions on cell-nanomaterial interactions. Finally, we propose modified sample preparation and characterization protocols for comprehensive and conclusive investigations of nanomaterial-cell interactions using electron microscopy and for obtaining clear and unambiguous revelation whether the nanomaterials studied penetrate the cells or accumulate at the cell membranes. In only the case of MgO and ZnO, the unambiguous presence of Zn and Mg could be observed inside the cells.

TEM SEM Nanoparticles Escherichia coli

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

WOS:000404146300022

SPRINGER

20172003664292

Cells ; Chemical stability ; Cytology ; Deposits ; Escherichia coli ; High resolution transmission electron microscopy ; II-VI semiconductors ; Magnesia ; Nanoparticles ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Titanium dioxide ; Transmission electron microscopy ; Zinc oxide

Biological Materials and Tissue Engineering:461.2 ; Optical Devices and Systems:741.3 ; Nanotechnology:761 ; Chemistry:801 ; Inorganic Compounds:804.2 ; Solid State Physics:933

BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY

Web of Science

1.Univ Hong Kong, Dept Phys, Pokfulam Rd, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol China, Dept Phys, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
3.Univ Hong Kong, Sch Biol Sci, Pokfulam Rd, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Peoples R China

Leung, Yu Hang,Guo, Mu Yao,Ma, Angel P. Y.,et al. Transmission electron microscopy artifacts in characterization of the nanomaterial-cell interactions[J]. APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY,2017,101(13):5469-5479.

Leung, Yu Hang.,Guo, Mu Yao.,Ma, Angel P. Y..,Ng, Alan M. C..,Djurisic, Aleksandra B..,...&Leung, Frederick C. C..(2017).Transmission electron microscopy artifacts in characterization of the nanomaterial-cell interactions.APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY,101(13),5469-5479.

Leung, Yu Hang,et al."Transmission electron microscopy artifacts in characterization of the nanomaterial-cell interactions".APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 101.13(2017):5469-5479.