Effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the ultrastructure and function of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.

The interaction of Bel-7402 hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC) as a single cell suspension with hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles was investigated. It was observed by an inverted microscope that the cells were still homogeneously distributed in the culture medium after 24 h. A TEM analysis showed that the HAP nanoparticles attached to the Bel-7402 cells were finally swallowed by the cells after 4 h, and induced ultrastructural changes of the cells after 4 days.