Protein-Mediated Transformations of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Evidenced by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry: A Disaggregation Phenomenon.

Jacek Sikorski,Agnieszka Kamińska,Maciej Trzaskowski,Magdalena Matczuk,Maciej Jarosz,Andrei R. Timerbaev,Joanna Kruszewska

doi:10.3390/ijms23031088

Abstract

Progress toward translating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with specific diagnostic and therapeutic properties for clinical applications depends on developing and implementing appropriate methodologies that would allow in-depth characterizations of their behavior in a real biological environment. Herein, we report a versatile approach for studying interactions between SPIONs and proteins using single-particle inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. By monitoring the changes in the size distribution upon exposure to human serum, the formation of stable protein corona is revealed, accompanied by particle disaggregation.

Highlights

As a collection of related diseases caused by the ability of cells to grow and proliferate uncontrollably, cancer is arguably the biggest challenge for public health care
The most significant attribute of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for biomedical use is biocompatibility and biodegradability, which allows them to be trafficked via the iron metabolism pathway [4]
The characterization of the physicochemical properties of SPIONs is of the utmost importance for safe biomedical use in vivo

Summary

Introduction

As a collection of related diseases caused by the ability of cells to grow and proliferate uncontrollably, cancer is arguably the biggest challenge for public health care. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely tested as tools for drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, catching tumor cells, etc. The most significant attribute of SPIONs for biomedical use is biocompatibility and biodegradability, which allows them to be trafficked via the iron metabolism pathway [4]. The characterization of the physicochemical properties of SPIONs is of the utmost importance for safe biomedical use in vivo. The colloidal stability of SPIONs in different biological media, primarily in blood serum, should be tested before introduction into a living organism [5]. There is a lack of research addressing this critical issue, and interactions within human serum are rarely studied in depth due to their complexity [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion