title: Size-dependent cell uptake of protein-coated graphene oxide nanosheets.
abstract: As an emerging applied material, graphene has shown tremendous application potential in many fields, including biomedicine. However, the biological behavior of these nanosheets, especially their interactions with cells, is not well understood. Here, we report our findings about the cell surface adhesion, subcellular locations, and size-dependent uptake mechanisms of protein-coated graphene oxide nanosheets (PCGO). Small nanosheets enter cells mainly through clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and the increase of graphene size enhances phagocytotic uptake of the nanosheets. These findings will facilitate biomedical and toxicologic studies of graphenes and provide fundamental understanding of interactions at the interface of two-dimensional nanostructures and biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States.
authors.forename: Qingxin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Gaoxing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Liwen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ben O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Gilbertson
authors.forename: Lam H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Qiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ya-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004705:Endocytosis; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D011506:Proteins; D006108:Graphite