Synergistical Use of Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Interactions for the Synthesis of a New Class of Multifunctional Nanohybrids: Plasmonic Magneto-Liposomes.

Gabriela Fabiola Știufiuc,Rareș Ionuț Știufiuc,Ștefan Nițică,Dietrich Zahn,Cristian Iacoviță,Valentin Toma,Romulus Tetean,Constantin Mihai Lucaciu,Emil Burzo

doi:10.3390/nano9111623

Abstract

By carefully controlling the electrostatic interactions between cationic liposomes, which already incorporate magnetic nanoparticles in the bilayers, and anionic gold nanoparticles, a new class of versatile multifunctional nanohybrids (plasmonic magneto-liposomes) that could have a major impact in drug delivery and controlled release applications has been synthesized. The experimental results confirmed the successful synthesis of hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and polyethylene glycol functionalized (PEGylated) gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The SPIONs were incorporated in the liposomal lipidic bilayers, thus promoting the formation of cationic magnetoliposomes. Different concentrations of SPIONs were loaded in the membrane. The cationic magnetoliposomes were decorated with anionic PEGylated gold nanoparticles using electrostatic interactions. The successful incorporation of SPIONs together with the modifications they generate in the bilayer were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The plasmonic properties of the multifunctional nanohybrids were investigated using UV-Vis absorption and (surface-enhanced) Raman spectroscopy. Their hyperthermic properties were recorded at different frequencies and magnetic field intensities. After the synthesis, the nanosystems were extensively characterized in order to properly evaluate their potential use in drug delivery applications and controlled release as a result of the interaction with an external stimulus, such as an NIR laser or alternating magnetic field.

Highlights

The use of different types of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications, a field known as nanomedicine, is in the limelight of current research activities
The strategy presented here for the creation of multifunctional plasmonic magneto-liposomes is a two-step process consisting first in the synthesis of unilamellar cationic magneto-liposomes as a result of the hydrophobic interactions between superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and a liposomal lipidic bilayer. They were decorated using PEGylated plasmonic nanoparticles based on electrostatic interactions between the previously synthesized cationic magneto-liposomes and the anionic PEGylated gold nanoparticles
The multifunctional magneto-plasmonic nanohybrids were characterized using the same techniques in order to evaluate the evolution of the individual properties in this complex system

Summary

Introduction

The use of different types of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications, a field known as nanomedicine, is in the limelight of current research activities. The most promising nanomedicine applications in cancer therapy are represented by the detection, targeting, and ablation of malignant tissues through minimally invasive methods based on specific nanohybrid interactions using an external stimulus, such as a magnetic field and/or NIR radiation [1,3]. In principle, these objectives are feasible if one considers the unique properties possessed by different types of nano-objects proposed so far for such applications and the specific features of the tumoral tissue. The most important factors that still need to be addressed and understood for their large-scale use in clinical practice are the development of new synthesis strategies that are able to generate complex nanohybrids in a very reproducible fashion, as well as a rigorous physico-chemical characterization of these nanohybrids

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