Fig. 9

LPS increases the SRA-dependent AuNPs uptake in macrophages to mediate apoptosis induction. A Murine peritoneal macrophages were treated with AuNPs and LPS, separately or in combination, for 4 h. The intracellular distribution of AuNPs was visualized via TEM imaging (labeled by red circles). B Murine peritoneal macrophages or AML-12 cells were treated with AuNPs alone or in combination with LPS for 4 h. The content of Au per 10 mg cells was quantified via ICP-MS. C, D Macrophages were treated with AuNPs alone or together with LPS for 4 h. Cell homogenates were processed via gradient centrifugation to obtain the P0.5, P5, P100, S100, and Pellet fractions. The Au content in these fractions was detected via ICP-MS. E Macrophages were treated as in C and D. The mRNA expression of SR-A1 was detected via RT-PCR. F Macrophages were pre-treated with dextran sulfate or cytochalasin D for 2 h, followed by LPS and AuNP treatment for another 4 h. The Au content per 10 mg cells was quantified via ICP-MS. G, H Cells were pre-treated with dextran sulfate G) and cytochalasin D H for 2 h and then treated with LPS and AuNPs as indicated in C. Apoptosis was examined via Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. N.S., no significance, *: P < 0.05, **: P < 0.01