Abstract
BackgroundNanoparticles’ unique features have been highly explored in cellular therapies. However, nanoparticles can be cytotoxic. The cytotoxicity can be overcome by coating the nanoparticles with an appropriated surface modification. Nanoparticle coating influences biocompatibility between nanoparticles and cells and may affect some cell properties. Here, we evaluated the biocompatibility of gold and maghemite nanoparticles functionalized with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), Au-DMSA and γ-Fe2O3-DMSA respectively, with human mesenchymal stem cells. Also, we tested these nanoparticles as tracers for mesenchymal stem cells in vivo tracking by computed tomography and as agents for mesenchymal stem cells magnetic targeting.ResultsSignificant cell death was not observed in MTT, Trypan Blue and light microscopy analyses. However, ultra-structural alterations as swollen and degenerated mitochondria, high amounts of myelin figures and structures similar to apoptotic bodies were detected in some mesenchymal stem cells. Au-DMSA and γ-Fe2O3-DMSA labeling did not affect mesenchymal stem cells adipogenesis and osteogenesis differentiation, proliferation rates or lymphocyte suppression capability. The uptake measurements indicated that both inorganic nanoparticles were well uptaken by mesenchymal stem cells. However, Au-DMSA could not be detected in microtomograph after being incorporated by mesenchymal stem cells. γ-Fe2O3-DMSA labeled cells were magnetically responsive in vitro and after infused in vivo in an experimental model of lung silicosis.ConclusionIn terms of biocompatibility, the use of γ-Fe2O3-DMSA and Au-DMSA as tracers for mesenchymal stem cells was assured. However, Au-DMSA shown to be not suitable for visualization and tracking of these cells in vivo by standard computed microtomography. Otherwise, γ-Fe2O3-DMSA shows to be a promising agent for mesenchymal stem cells magnetic targeting.
Highlights
Nanoparticles’ unique features have been highly explored in cellular therapies
We aimed to investigate the biocompatibility and potential use of two inorganic nanoparticles coated with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), iron oxide nanoparticles coated with DMSA (γ-Fe2O3-DMSA) and gold nanoparticles coated with DMSA (Au-DMSA) used to label human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
Fe‐DMSA and Au‐DMSA characterization According to Atomic absorption spectrophotometry data, the γ-Fe2O3-DMSA solution used in this study has 4.09 mg of iron per mL
Summary
Nanoparticles’ unique features have been highly explored in cellular therapies. nanoparticles can be cytotoxic. We evaluated the biocompatibility of gold and maghemite nanoparticles functionalized with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), Au-DMSA and γ-Fe2O3-DMSA respectively, with human mesenchymal stem cells. We tested these nanoparticles as tracers for mesenchymal stem cells in vivo tracking by computed tomography and as agents for mesenchymal stem cells magnetic targeting. IONPs superparamagnetism has been applied in hyperthermia therapies in tumors, taking advantage of MSCs tropism to tumor cells [9]. Another class of inorganic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs), has been explored in cell based therapies. As Au-NPs scatter X-rays efficiently, labeled MSCs can be detected by computed tomography, a technique that provides greater spatial resolution compared to magnetic resonance imaging [5, 6, 17, 18]
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