Cytotoxicity studies of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in chicken macrophage cells.

Yunqi Xiao,Shu Wu,Shourong Shi,Yiru Shen,Shan Zhang,Lizeng Gao

doi:10.1098/rsos.191561

Abstract

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have been widely investigated for their biomedical applications. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different sizes of Fe3O4-NPs in chicken macrophage cells (HD11). Experimental groups based on three sizes of Fe3O4-NPs (60, 120 and 250 nm) were created, and the Fe3O4-NPs were added to the cells at different doses according to the experimental group. The cell activity, oxidative index (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)), apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion level were detected to analyse the cytotoxic effects of Fe3O4-NPs of different sizes in HD11 cells. The results revealed that the cell viability of the 60 nm Fe3O4-NPs group was lower than those of the 120 and 250 nm groups when the same concentration of Fe3O4-NPs was added. No significant difference in MDA was observed among the three Fe3O4-NP groups. The SOD level and ROS production of the 60 nm group were significantly greater than those of the 120 and 250 nm groups. Furthermore, the highest levels of apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion were caused by the 60 nm Fe3O4-NPs. In conclusion, the smaller Fe3O4-NPs produced stronger cytotoxicity in chicken macrophage cells, and the cytotoxic effects may be related to the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by increased ROS production as well as the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Highlights

The biomedical applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in magnetic resonance imaging, targeted therapy and cell labelling have been extensively studied
The hydrodynamic diameters of the Fe3O4-NPs were measured by DLS
The average hydrodynamic diameters of the 60, 120 and 250 nm Fe3O4-NPs were 68 ± 2.40, 121.3 ± 3.04 and 250 ± 6.79 nm, respectively, which was in good agreement with the TEM results; the zeta potentials were +19.4 ± 1.52, +18.9 ± 1.48 and +20.3 ± 1.6 mV, respectively, indicating that the nanoparticles were positively charged, which is beneficial for endocytosis

Summary

Introduction

The biomedical applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in magnetic resonance imaging, targeted therapy and cell labelling have been extensively studied. Many applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases have shown good potential, there are still some controversial results concerning the cytotoxic effects from the use of SPIONs [1,2]. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) are a new type of nanomaterial with large specific surface area, high biocompatibility and biodegradability, which fall under the SPIONs category and have great potential for development for use in biomedicine [4]. Fe3O4-NPs have unique physical and chemical properties, including the following: superparamagnetism, magnetocaloric effects and peroxidase-like activity. Based on the potential function of Fe3O4-NPs in disease diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to further study the cytotoxic effects of Fe3O4-NPs before they are applied in various fields

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Conclusion