Figure 1

Concentration of silver estimated using ICP-OES of Ag-np treated cells. (A) Data obtained from endocytosis studies using U251 cells. X axis represents different conditions employed viz. K+ depletion and temperature. Cells incubated at 37°C showed double the concentration of Ag than cells incubated at 4°C and K+ depleted environment. The concentration of Ag isolated from clathrin blocked cells and endocytosis blocked cells were approximately equal illustrating a clathrin independent process of uptake. (B) Exocytosis data show a concentration and time dependant exocytosis as indicated by the increased concentration of Ag in culture supernatant and a gradual decrease in cells. X axis represents different time and concentrations employed for exocytosis. Y axis represents concentration of silver detected by ICP-OES. (C) Comparison of exocytosis and endocytosis rate in U251 cells. Percentage of endocytosed nanoparticles expelled from cells over a period of time is depicted in the graph.