Gold-coated Magnetite Nanoparticles Research Articles

Radiofrequency remote control of thermolysin activity

The majority of biological processes are regulated by enzymes, precise control over specific enzymes could create the potential for controlling cellular processes remotely. We show that the thermophilic enzyme thermolysin can be remotely activated in 17.76 MHz radiofrequency (RF) fields when covalently attached to 6.1 nm gold coated magnetite nanoparticles. Without raising the bulk solution temperature, we observe enzyme activity as if the solution was 16 ± 2 °C warmer in RF fields—an increase in enzymatic rate of 129 ± 8%. Kinetics studies show that the activity increase of the enzyme is consistent with the induced fit of a hot enzyme with cold substrate.

Preparation and in vitro characterization of monoclonal antibody ranibizumab conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery

Gold coated magnetite nanoparticles were prepared and coated with ranibizumab as an ocular drug delivery system. The surface morphologies of the nanoparticles were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The size and surface charge were determined by using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. Crystallographic properties of the gold coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were recorded on X-ray diffractometer (XRD) the XRD pattern of nanoparticlees were shown to have uniqe Fe3O4 and gold peaks. Conjugation of ranibizumab onto nanoparticles was achieved using the physical adsorption method. The amount of ranibizumab on the surface of the nanoparticles was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In the in vitro release studies performed using UV spectroscopy; it was found that almost 60% of antibodies were released within the first 30 minutes. Antibody activity after release studies was also proved with ELISA. Non-toxicity of gold coated Fe3O4 particles were proved with MTT. Results of the studies, showed that the antibody conjugated magnetic nanoparticle system could be a potential treatment system for ocular diseases.

Surface plasmon resonance enhanced light absorption and wavelength tuneable in gold-coated iron oxide spherical nanoparticle

Surface plasmon in nano-sized particles, such as gold, silver, copper and their composites, has recently attracted a great deal of attention due to its possible uses in many applications, especially in life sciences. It is desirable for application devices with a tenability of surface plasmon wavelength and optical properties enhancement. This article presents enhanced optical light absorption and tunable wavelength in gold-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@Au core-shell) nanoparticles embedded in water using the theoretical method of discrete dipole approximation (DDA). The absorption spectra in the wavelengths from 350 to 900 nm were found to be the spectra obtained from Fe3O4@Au core-shell nanoparticles, and when compared with pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the surface plasmon resonance can be enhanced and tuned over the entire visible spectrum (viz. 350–800 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum by varying the Au shell thickness (2–5 nm). Similarly, the Faraday rotation spectra can also be obtained.

Magnetically Directed Assembly of Nanocrystals for Catalytic Control of a Three-Component Coupling Reaction

Randomly distributed colloidal magnetic nanoparticles in solution are polarized in the presence of an external magnetic field, and the interparticle dipole–dipole attraction drives their assembly into linear chains. In this Communication, we report using a model A3-coupling reaction, that the field-directed self-assembly of gold-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@Au) nanoparticles can be used to remotely control the rate of reaction by manipulating their colloidal assembly of catalyst in situ.

Ascorbic acid-mediated synthesis and characterisation of iron oxide/gold core–shell nanoparticles.

The current article reports on providing surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles with gold to provide stability against aggregation. Gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles were synthesised to combine both magnetic as well as surface plasma resonance (SPR) properties in a single moiety. The nanocomposites were produced by reduction (using ascorbic acid) of gold chloride on to the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles. Ascorbic acid not only acts as a reducing agent, but also the oxidised form of ascorbic acid i.e. Dehydro-ascorbic acid acts as a capping agent to impart stability to as synthesised gold-coated iron oxide nanocomposites. The synthesised nanocomposite was monodispersed with a mean particle size of around 16 nm and polydispersity index of 0.190. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms presence of gold on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. The synthesised nanocomposites had a total organic content of around 3.2% w/w and also showed a shifted SPR peak at 546 nm as compared to gold nanoparticles (528 nm). Both uncoated and gold-coated magnetite exhibited superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature. Upon coating with gold shell, saturation magnetisation of iron oxide nanoparticles decreases from 42.806 to 3.54 emu/gram.

Fabrication and spectroscopic studies of folic acid-conjugated Fe3O4@Au core–shell for targeted drug delivery application

Gold coated magnetite core shell is a kind of nanoparticle that include magnetic iron oxide core with a thin layer nanogold. Fe3O4–gold core–shell nanostructure can be used in biomedical applications such as magnetic bioseparation, bioimaging, targeting drug delivery and cancer treatment. In this study, the synthesis and characterization of gold coated magnetite nanoparticles were discussed. Magnetite nanoparticles with an average size of 6nm in diameter were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method and gold-coated Fe3O4 core–shell nanostructures were produced with an average size of 11.5nm in diameter by reduction of Au3+ with citrate ion in the presence of Fe3O4. Folate-conjugated gold coated magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized to targeting folate receptor that is overexpressed on the surface of cancerous cells. For this purpose, we used l-cysteine, as a bi-functional linker for attachment to gold surface and it was linked to the gold nanoparticles surface through its thiol group. Then, we conjugated amino-terminated nanoparticles to folic acid with an amide-linkage formation. These gold magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. The magnetic and optical properties of Fe3O4 nanostructure were changed by gold coating and attachment of l-cysteine and folic acid to Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles.

Implant-Assisted Intrathecal Magnetic Drug Targeting to Aid in Therapeutic Nanoparticle Localization for Potential Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders.

There is an ongoing struggle to develop efficient drug delivery and targeting methods within the central nervous system. One technique known as intrathecal drug delivery, involves direct drug infusion into the spinal canal and has become standard practice for treating many central nervous system diseases due to reduced systemic toxicity from the drug bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Although intrathecal drug delivery boasts the advantage of reduced systemic toxicity compared to oral and intravenous drug delivery techniques, current intrathecal delivery protocols lack a means of sufficient drug targeting at specific locations of interest within the central nervous system. We previously proposed the method of intrathecal magnetic drug targeting in order to overcome the limited targeting capabilities of standard intrathecal drug delivery protocols, while simultaneously reducing the systemic toxicity as well as the amount of drug required to produce a therapeutic effect. Building off of our previous work, this paper presents the concept of implant-assisted intrathecal magnetic drug targeting. Ferritic stainless steel implants were incorporated within the subarachnoid space of our in vitro human spine model, and the targeting magnet was placed at a physiological distance away from the model and implant to mimic the distance between the epidermis and spinal canal. Computer simulations were performed to optimize implant design for generating high gradient magnetic fields and to study how these fields may aid in therapeutic nanoparticle localization. Experiments aiming to determine the effects of different magnetically-susceptible implants placed within an external magnetic field on the targeting efficiency of gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles were then performed on our in vitro human spine model. Our results indicate that implant-assisted intrathecal magnetic drug targeting is an excellent supplementary technique to further enhance the targeting capabilities of our previously established method of intrathecal magnetic drug targeting.

Enzyme-functionalized gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles as novel hybrid nanomaterials: Synthesis, purification and control of enzyme function by low-frequency magnetic field

The possibility of remotely inducing a defined effect on NPs by means of electromagnetic radiation appears attractive. From a practical point of view, this effect opens horizons for remote control of drug release systems, as well as modulation of biochemical functions in cells. Gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles are perfect candidates for such application. Herein, we have successfully synthesized core–shell NPs having magnetite cores and gold shells modified with various sulphur containing ligands and developed a new, simple and robust procedure for the purification of the resulting nanoparticles. The carboxylic groups displayed at the surface of the NPs were utilized for NP conjugation with a model enzyme (ChT). In the present study, we report the effect of the low-frequency AC magnetic field on the catalytic activity of the immobilized ChT. We show that the enzyme activity decreases upon exposure of the NPs to the field.

Intrathecal Magnetic Drug Targeting Using Gold-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles in A Human Spine Model

We aimed to magnetically guide and locally confine nanoparticles in desired locations within the spinal canal to achieve effective drug administration for improved treatment of chronic pain, cancers, anesthesia and spasticity. We developed a physiologically and anatomically consistent in vitro human spine model to test the feasibility of intrathecal magnetic drug targeting. Gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles were infused into the model and targeted to specific regions using external magnetic fields. Experiments and simulations aiming to determine the effect of key parameters, such as magnet strength, duration of magnetic field exposure, magnet location and ferrous implants, on the collection efficiency of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in targeted regions were performed. An 891% increase in nanoparticle collection efficiency within the target region was achieved using intrathecal magnetic drug targeting when compared with the control. Nanoparticle collection efficiency at the target region increased with time and reached a steady value within 15 min. Ferrous epidural implants generated sufficiently high-gradient magnetic fields, even when magnets were placed at a distance equal to the space between a patient's epidermis and spinal canal. Our experiments indicate that intrathecal magnetic drug targeting is a promising technique for concentrating and localizing drugs at targeted sites within the spinal canal for treating diseases affecting the CNS.

Multiple Morphologies of Gold-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles Are Conjugated With Ligands and Can Produce Receptor-Mediated Biological Effects

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.

Multiple Morphologies of Gold–Magnetite Heterostructure Nanoparticles are Effectively Functionalized with Protein for Cell Targeting

Nanoparticles composed of a magnetic iron oxide core surrounded by a metal shell have utility in a broad range of biomedical applications. However, the presence of surface energy differences between the two components makes wetting of oxide with metal unfavorable, precluding a "core-shell" structure of an oxide core completely surrounded by a thin metal shell. Three-dimensional island growth followed by island coalescence into thick shells is favored over the two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth of a thin, continuous metal coating of a true core-shell. Aqueous synthesis of gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles with analysis by infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray, and electron energy loss spectroscopies; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; selected area electron diffraction; and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy showed two distinct morphologies that are inconsistent with an idealized core-shell. The majority were isolated ~16-22-nm-diameter nanoparticles consisting of ~7-nm-diameter magnetite and a thick deposition of gold, most often discontinuous, with some potentially "sandwiched" morphologies. A minority were aggregates of agglomerated magnetite decorated with gold but displaying significant bare magnetite. Both populations were successfully conjugated to fibrinogen and targeted to surface-activated platelets, demonstrating that iron oxide-gold nanoparticles produced by aqueous synthesis do not require an ideal core-shell structure for biological activity in cell labeling and targeting applications.

Synthesis and characterization of uncoated and gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles

We report on the synthesis and characterization of uncoated and gold coated magnetite nanoparticles. Structural characterizations, carried out using X-ray diffraction, confirm the formation of magnetite phase with a mean size of ~7 and ~8 nm for the uncoated and gold covered magnetite nanoparticles, respectively. The value of the gold coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles is consistent with the mean physical size determined from transmission electron microscopy images. Mossbauer spectra at room temperature are consistent with the thermal relaxation of magnetic moments mediated by particle-particle interactions. The 77 K Mossbauer spectra are modeled with four sextets. Those sextets are assigned to the signal of iron ions occupying the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the core and shell parts of the particle. The room-temperature saturation magnetization value determined for the uncoated Fe3O4 nanoparticles is roughly ~60 emu/g and suggests the occurrence of surface effects such as magnetic disorder or the partial surface oxidation. These surface effects are reduced in the gold-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Zero-field–cooled and field-cooled curves of both samples show irreversibilities which are consistent with a superparamagnetic behavior of interacting nanoparticles.

Protein Conjugation by Non-ionic Adsorption Both Functionalizes and Stabilizes Gold-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012.

Uptake and Intracellular Fate of Fluorescent‐Magnetic Glyco‐nanoparticles

Iron oxide based nanoparticles are finding their way as leading actors in nanotechnology applications to medicine. Magnetite nanoparticles are currently being used in clinics for the detection of hepatic tumors based on their unspecific accumulation in liver. More and more works are being published on potential applications of magnetic nanoparticles in diagnostics and therapy. But the interaction between magnetic nanoparticles and human cells at the subcellular level is only now beginning to be studied and more basic research is needed in this field. This work studies the interaction between carbohydrate functionalized gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles and C33 tumoural human cells as the first step towards the in vivo application of these nanoparticles. The uptake of this magnetic material follows a similar trend to that described for other nanoparticles. The intracellular fate of these nanoparticles once internalized has been unveiled, and an automatic methodology for the analysis of co-localization data has also been tested and compared to a more classic approach. These results can help in the optimization of the design of magnetic nanoparticles depending on their final application.

Patterning 2D Metallic Surfaces by Soft Lithography

AbstractIn this study, we report on the development of a μCP technique, where the ink used on the surface of the stamp is made of aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (APTMS). The stamps for the μCP are prepared by polymerizing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on photolithographically defined masters. Si wafers were used as the substrate on which a self assembled layer of APTMS was formed at the contact regions of the stamp. The regions of contact were subsequently used for the deposition of gold coated magnetite nanoparticles, resulting in 2D patterned metallic surfaces. The colloidal particles were analyzed by TEM and XRD, and the printed substrates were characterized by AFM.