Figure 4

TEM micrographs of Hep G2 cells treated with aqueous suspensions of: a-G-AuNPs with the concentration of 70 µg/mL for 1 h (a) or 2 h (b); a-DG-AuNPs with the concentration of 70 µg/mL for 1 h (c) or 2 h (d); a-G-AuNPs (e) or a-DG-AuNPs (f) both with the concentration of 700 µg/mL for 1 h. Magnification of Hep G2 cells treated with a-G-AuNPs (70 µg/mL; for 1 h) evidencing the internalization of the AuNPs into the nucleus [black arrowheads in inset of (g)]. Control experiment of Hep G2 cells not exposed to the nanoparticles (h). (m = mitochondria; rer = rough endoplasmic reticulum, n = nucleus).