Evaluation of endocytosis of silica particles used in biodegradable implants in the brain

Two types of silica nanoparticles were engineered for the use in laser tissue soldering of aneurysms in the brain. Release of nanoparticles from the biodegradable scaffold may result in exposure and uptake in brain cells. Therefore, cellular uptake and the underlying mechanisms were investigated using high content analysis. Nanoparticle uptake was most prominent after 4 hours in Endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Macropinocytosis, phagocytosis and clathrin- and caveolin-independent endocytosis were identified as involved uptake pathways.72