Fig. 5

Ultra-structure observations by TEM of AluDia interaction with THP-1 monocyte cell line. Cells were treated with 20 μg/mL of AluDia particles for 3 (a) or 24h (b-i). a and b: AluDia particle internalization by THP-1 cells. Arrows indicate endosome membranes. c: AluDia particles inside macropinosome. Black (b,c) and white (c) arrows indicate macropinosome membrane and its absence, respectively. d: Intracellular AluDia particles encircled by double membrane autophagosome (arrow) indicating the autophagy activation. e: Detection of aluminum specific emission peak of (h) region, of internalized AluDia, by the X-ray microanalysis (EDX). f: macropinosome filled with AluDia particles. g- i: High resolution TEM analysis of the endosome content identified the specific crystal periodicity of mfNDs, (h): red (mfNDs) and green (alum) pseudo-colors, are superimposed to show the two crystalline structures of the AluDia complex (yellow pseudo-color, i). AluDia Alhydrogel^® and mfND complex, mfNDs modified fluorescent nanodiamonds, TEM transmission electron microscopy