Cerium fluoride nanoparticles protect cells against oxidative stress

A novel facile method of non-doped and fluorescent terbium-doped cerium fluoride stable aqueous sols synthesis is proposed. Intense green luminescence of CeF₃:Tb nanoparticles can be used to visualize these nanoparticles' accumulation in cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cerium fluoride nanoparticles are shown for the first time to protect both organic molecules and living cells from the oxidative action of hydrogen peroxide. Both non-doped and terbium-doped CeF₃ nanoparticles are shown to provide noteworthy protection to cells against the vesicular stomatitis virus. - Highlights: • Facile method of CeF₃ and CeF₃:Tb stable aqueous sols synthesis is proposed. • Naked CeF₃ nanoparticles are shown to be non-toxic and to protect cells from the action of H₂O₂. • CeF₃ and CeF₃:Tb nanoparticles are shown to protect living cells against the vesicular stomatitis virus