title: Cellular distribution and degradation of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblasts.
abstract: The effect of the concentration of cobalt ferrite (CoFe(2)O(4)) nanoparticles (NPs) on their intracellular location and distribution has been explored by synchrotron radiation X-ray and fluorescence microscopy (SR-XRF) monitoring the evolution of NPs elemental composition as well. In cells exposed to low concentrations of CoFe(2)O(4) NPs, the NPs preferentially segregate in the perinuclear region preserving their initial chemical content. At concentrations exceeding 500 μM the XRF spectra indicate the presence of Co and Fe also in the nuclear region, accompanied by sensible changes in the cellular morphology. The increase of the Co/Fe ratio measured in the nuclear compartment indicates that above certain concentrations the CoFe(2)O(4) NPs intracellular distribution could be accompanied by biodegradation resulting in Co accumulation in the nucleus.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra (VA), Italy.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marmorato
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ceccone
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gianoncelli
authors.forename: Lorella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pascolo
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponti
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaulich
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiskinova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041702:BALB 3T3 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003035:Cobalt / Q000378:metabolism*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D017356:Synchrotrons
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C001215:ferrite; D003035:Cobalt