Uptake and persistence of bacterial magnetite magnetosomes in a mammalian cell line: Implications for medical and biotechnological applications

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 23;14(4):e0215657. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215657. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Magnetotactic bacteria biomineralize intracellular magnetic nanocrystals surrounded by a lipid bilayer called magnetosomes. Due to their unique characteristics, magnetite magnetosomes are promising tools in Biomedicine. However, the uptake, persistence, and accumulation of magnetosomes within mammalian cells have not been well studied. Here, the endocytic pathway of magnetite magnetosomes and their effects on human cervix epithelial (HeLa) cells were studied by electron microscopy and high spatial resolution nano-analysis techniques. Transmission electron microscopy of HeLa cells after incubation with purified magnetosomes showed the presence of magnetic nanoparticles inside or outside endosomes within the cell, which suggests different modes of internalization, and that these structures persisted beyond 120 h after internalization. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectra of internalized magnetosome crystals showed no structural or chemical changes in these structures. Although crystal morphology was preserved, iron oxide crystalline particles of approximately 5 nm near internalized magnetosomes suggests that minor degradation of the original mineral structures might occur. Cytotoxicity and microscopy analysis showed that magnetosomes did not result in any apparent effect on HeLa cells viability or morphology. Based on our results, magnetosomes have significant biocompatibility with mammalian cells and thus have great potential in medical, biotechnological applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Cell Survival
  • Endocytosis*
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Endosomes / ultrastructure
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetosomes / metabolism*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Toxicity Tests

Substances

  • Ferrosoferric Oxide

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq), the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support in the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ). D.A.B. is supported by US National Science Foundation (NSF) grant EAR-1423939. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.