Fig. 9

Scheme of the uptake and degradation of the nanocomposite and generation of oxidative stress by the macrophage cells. The scheme represents the general steps of the graphene oxide-silver nanoparticles and cell interaction, including the nanocomposite interaction with the cell membrane (1), macrophage endocytosis and vesicle maturation (2), nanocomposite degradation (3), release of silver ions in the cytoplasm (4), and impairment of mitochondrial function generating toxic radicals and oxidative stress (5)