Supermagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Highly efficient degradation of basic dyes using gold-coated nature-based supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as eco-friendly nanocatalysts

Nowadays, organic dyes are prevalent components in wastewater discharges due to their extensive use in various industries, posing a significant threat to public health across different organisms. As a result, wastewater treatment has become an indispensable requirement. In this study, we synthesized supermagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4 NPs) and gold-iron oxide bimetallic nanoparticles (Au@Fe3O4 BNPs) using an eco-friendly method that involved natural compounds extracted from brown Egyptian propolis. We employed UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, VSM, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, Zeta potential and XPS techniques to examine the optical characteristics, chemical structure, crystalline structure, magnetic properties, morphology, size, and chemical composition of these biosynthesized nanoparticles. Furthermore, these nanoparticles were used as nanocatalysts for the removal of cationic dyes. The photocatalytic results indicated high efficiency in the removal of methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV), and malachite green (MG) dyes from aqueous solutions using Fe3O4 NPs and Au@Fe3O4 BNPs. The removal rates of MB, CV, and MG were about 95.2% in 70 min, 99.4% in 50 min, and 96.2% in 60 min for Fe3O4 NPs, and 97.1% in 50 min, 99.1% in 30 min, and 98.1% in 50 min for Au@Fe3O4 BNPs, respectively. The study also assessed the potential anti-radical properties of the extract, Fe3O4 NPs, and Au@Fe3O4 BNPs using the DPPH assay, and the results demonstrated their antioxidant activity. Finally, these Fe3O4 NPs and Au@Fe3O4 BNPs have the potential to serve as efficient antioxidants and photocatalysts for removing basic dyes from water.Graphical abstract

NOSE TO BRAIN DELIVERY: ROLE OF VIRAL AND NON-VIRAL VECTORS FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER

Nose to brain delivery is an alternative and efficient way of delivery of drugs, protein, peptides, DNA, RNA, and plasmids for improved therapeutics in the treatment of neurological disorders. Nanotechnology enables the use of nanocarriers, such as polymer, lipid, and metal-based for delivery of an active agent to targeted site selectively and minimise other systemic side effects. Viral vectors like herpes simplex, adenovirus, and lentivirus are also used for the delivery of genes to the brain with improved transfection efficiency and transduction process. Metal-based nanomaterials such as gold and super magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, used for theranostic application for brain-related nose to brain delivery, has proven several advantages and are discussed together with their limitations, in this review in detail.

Modification of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for targeted delivery of payloads

The development of methods for targeted delivery of payload is a rapidly developing area of research.For this reason, iron oxide nanoparticles have potential to be used in delivery of substances by using external magnetic field. However it is necessary to develop methods of their modification, which will lead to the pos-sibility of immobilization of payloads with the required concentration for therapeutic use. In this article, supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were modified with silanes such as (3-chloropropyl)-trimethoxysilane, (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane, (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and (3-glycidyl-propyl)trimethoxysilane by reaction of polycondensation. Then carborane compound (payload) was success-fully attached on the modified nanoparticles via covalent bonding. Structure, size and element composition were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDA). It was found that resulting nanoparticles contain 16.6% of bo-ron (according to EDA), and their average size is 32±9 nm (according to SEM). In vitro test using HeLa (cer-vical cancer cell) and PC-3 (prostate cancer cell) shows low cytotoxicity in concentration range of 1–200μg/ml.

Supermagnetic cellulose nanocrystal hybrids reinforced PHBV nanocomposites with high sensitivity to intelligently detect water vapor

In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) incorporated with supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) as (MCNC) hybrids by the co-precipitation method have developed. High-performance nanocomposite films consisting of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) and MCNC hybrids have prepared through a simple solution casting method. The addition of CNCs in MCNC-5% hybrids improved the surface hydrophilicity of PHBV, and displayed a reduction in water vapor permeability by 68.1 %, compared with pristine PHBV. The results prove that the addition of MCNC hybrids can be acted like a sensor to detect voltage change of the nanocomposites as functions of water vapor. The existence of CNCs in the MCNC-5% hybrids caused an increase in tensile strength and Young’s modulus by 74.6 % and 120.2 %, respectively. The addition of CNCs could enhance cell-matrix interactions and thus cytocompatibility of PHBV nanocomposites. The PHBV/MCNC-5% exhibited saturation magnetization (Ms) values of 1.5 emu g−1 and displayed almost a regular and operative voltage response signal with real-time monitoring of water vapor. This work provides sustainable smart packaging materials with high sensitivity for water vapor and excellent biocompatibility.

A highly sensitive and selective ON-OFF fluorescent sensor based on functionalized magnetite nanoparticles for detection of Cr(VI) metal ions in the aqueous medium

Herein, we developed a very sensitive and selective fluorescent magnetic nanoparticle sensor for the selective detection of Cr(VI) metal ions in aqueous solutions. Detection of Cr(VI) metal ions is based on fluorescence quenching mechanism of the BODIPY compound bearing magnetic nanoparticles in aqueous media. The newly synthesized BODIPY compound was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR. The morphology, chemical and physical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were performed by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopies were used to investigate the selectivity of the BODIPY immobilized magnetic nanoparticle and used to detect Cr(VI) metal ion in aqueous solutions. According to the characterization, the magnetic fluorescent super magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (F-SPION) were revealed that the average particle diameter was about 18 nm. The newly prepared fluorescent superparamagnetic nanoparticle (F-SPION) showed a fluorescence quenching response against Cr(VI) metal ions at pH 1 medium. The response of the magnetic fluorescent nanoparticle to target metal ion, Cr(VI), was highly selective, while possible interactions from other metal cations were insignificant. The fluorescence quenching of F-SPION in presence of Cr(VI) was completed in the first 5 min. These features provide potential uses of the prepared F-SPION as a new class of useful sensors for environmental applications.

Magnetic Targeting of HU-MSCs in the Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Through Akt/Bcl2/Bad/Caspase-3 Pathway.

PurposeOsteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a chronic and irreversible disease that eventually develops into a joint collapse and results in joint dysfunction. Early intervention and treatment are essential for preserving the joints and avoiding hip replacement. In this study, a system of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells-supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) @polydopamine (SCIOPs) was constructed. The magnetic targeting system gathers in the lesion area, inhibits the apoptosis of bone cells, enhances osteogenic effect, and effectively treats ONFH under external magnetic field.Materials and MethodsThe supermagnetic iron oxide NPs @polydopamine (SPION@PDA NPs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and zeta potential, respectively. The effects of SPION@PDA NPs on the viability, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells were detected by the CCK8 method, flow cytometry, and staining, respectively. The serum inflammatory indicators were detected by Luminex method. The bone mass of the femoral head was analyzed by micro computed tomography. The expression of apoptosis and osteoblast-related cytokines was detected by Western blotting. The osteogenesis of the femoral head was detected by histological and immunohistochemical sections.ResultsThe SCIOPs decreased the pro-inflammatory factors, and the micro CT showed that the bone repair of the femoral head was enhanced after treatment. The hematoxylin and eosin sections also showed an increase in the osteogenesis in the femoral head. Western blotting results showed and increased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Akt and Bcl-2, decreased expression of apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and Bad, and increased expression of osteogenic proteins Runx-2 and Osterix in the femoral head.ConclusionUnder the effect of magnetic field and homing ability of stem cells, SCIOPs inhibited the apoptosis of osteoblasts, improved the proliferation ability of osteoblasts, and promoted bone repair in the femoral head through the Akt/Bcl-2/Bad/caspase-3 signaling pathway, thereby optimizing the tissue repair ability.

New Frontiers in Molecular Imaging with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs): Efficacy, Toxicity, and Future Applications.

Supermagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are nanoparticles that have an iron oxide core and a functionalized shell. SPIONs have recently raised much interest in the scientific community, given their exciting potential diagnostic and theragnostic applications. The possibility to modify their surface and the characteristics of their core make SPIONs a specific contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging but also an intriguing family of tracer for nuclear medicine. An example is 68Ga-radiolabeled bombesin-conjugated to superparamagnetic nanoparticles coated with trimethyl chitosan that is selective for the gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. These receptors are expressed by several human cancer cells such as breast and prostate neoplasia. Since the coating does not interfere with the properties of the molecules bounded to the shell, it has been proposed to link SPIONs with antibodies. SPIONs can be used also to monitor the biodistribution of mesenchymal stromal cells and take place in various applications. The aim of this review of literature is to analyze the diagnostic aspect of SPIONs in magnetic resonance imaging and in nuclear medicine, with a particular focus on sentinel lymph node applications. Moreover, it is taken into account the possible toxicity and the effects on human physiology to determine the SPIONs' safety.

Lactoferrin-conjugated pH and redox-sensitive polymersomes based on PEG-S-S-PLA-PCL-OH boost delivery of bacosides to the brain.

In the present study, engineered lactoferrin (Lf)-conjugated pH and redox-sensitive polymersomes derived from the triblock copolymer polyethylene glycol-S-S-polylactic acid-polycaprolactone (PEG-S-S-PLA-PCL-OH) have been used to deliver bacosides to the brain. Bacosides are classified as triterpenoid saponins and are used in Indian Ayurveda for reversal of amnesia; however, no study has extensively demonstrated their efficacy as a nano-formulation in an animal model. The polymer was synthesized by ring opening polymerization of lactide and ε-caprolactone. The nanoparticles obtained by nanoprecipitation showed a core-shell morphology, with an average size of 110 nm, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The colloidal stability, hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of the polymersomes proved their biocompatibility. pH and disulfide linkages in the polymeric chain accelerated the disintegration of the polymersomes at pH 6.6 and at pH 6.6 with glutathione (GSH) in comparison to pH 7.4, supporting their degradation behavior. Supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs, 74.99 μg mg-1 polymer) encapsulated into the polymersomes demonstrated their uptake in a mouse model by MRI. Furthermore, bacosides encapsulated in the polymersomes (10% loading) showed significant memory loss reversal in chemically induced amnesic mice, supported by the gene expression profiles of Arc, BDNF and CREB as well as by histopathology.

Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

A facile method to synthesize ultrasmall-sized supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with good monodispersity and high relaxivity is desired for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. Herein, we have developed a one-step method to direct the formation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (uBSPIO) using albumin under mild conditions. The resulting uBSPIO possess ultrasmall size (4.78 ± 0.55 nm) and super high MR relaxivity (444.56 ± 8.82 mM-1 s-1). After grafted by the luteinizing hormone release hormone peptide (LHRH), the uBSPIO could targeted and accumulated in the tumor site. Finally, the uBSPIOs had good stability and did not induce cytotoxicity in vitro or major organ toxicity in vivo. The uBSPIOs are promising contrast agents for MRI.

Curcumin/sunitinib co-loaded BSA-stabilized SPIOs for synergistic combination therapy for breast cancer.

Coating supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) with albumin would not only improve their in vivo stability but also improve their drug loading capacity, but current methods are either inefficient or time consuming. Herein, a single step synthesis of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilized SPIOs with high dispersity and stability via a modified co-precipitation method is reported. The benefits of albumin for coating of SPIOs, i.e. its long circulation life, low immunogenicity and drug binding ability to specific binding domains, were all retained in our mildly modified BSA. The BSA-SPIOs thus prepared displayed an excellent T2 contrast enhancing effect and drug loading capacity. Two cytotoxic drugs curcumin and sunitinib, where the former is a drug-resistance depressor and the latter is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, were further co-loaded into the BSA-SPIOs (denoted SPIO-SC) to achieve combined synergistic therapy. SPIO-SC formulations displayed the most significant tumor inhibition yet least drug-induced toxicity both in vitro and in vivo when compared with free drug formulations. Through in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis, it was demonstrated that SPIO-SC most efficiently delivered the encapsulated drugs to the tumor site, and at the same time maintained the originally designed, optimal ratios of curcumin to sunitinib concentrations at the tumor target and yielded the most optimal synergistic effect and, subsequently, the more effective therapeutic outcomes. The prepared BSA-SPIOs are an extremely promising candidate for both MR imaging and drug delivery as a healthcare material.

Abstract 4405: Tumor-targeted nanotherapeutics

Abstract Directing anticancer agents specifically to tumors and/or cancer cells by targeting specific extracellular receptors fulfills the following three most important tasks: (1) preventing or at least substantially limiting adverse side effects on healthy tissues, (2) enhancing drug internalization by cancer cells, and (3) overcoming (at least in part) resistance mechanisms that are based on the active efflux of exogenous drugs from cancer cells. We developed several tumor-targeted nanoscale-based formulations: various nanocarriers (liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, polymers, quantum dots, mesoporous silica and supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles); different anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, camptothecin, and cisplatin); suppressors of cellular drug resistance and tumor grows (antisense oligonucleotides or siRNA targeted to BCL2, MDR1, MRP1, HIF1A, CD44 mRNA); and tumor-targeting agent - luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The proposed nanotherapeutics were tested in vitro and in vivo using established lung and ovarian cancer cell lines and highly metastatic cancer cells isolated from malignant intraperitoneal ascites from patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. These cells were used to initiate orthotopic models of lung and ovarian cancers in nude mice that were often accompanied by the development of metastases. Tumor-targeted nanoscale-based drug formulations were delivered intravenously and intraperitoneally (for ovarian cancer) or intravenously and by inhalation (for lung cancer). Treatment with the developed therapeutics led to the suppression of targeted proteins, efficient induction of cell death, effective tumor shrinkage, prevention the development of metastases and limitation of adverse side effects. Acknowledgements: The work was supported by R01CA100098, R01CA111766, and R01CA138533 grants from NIH. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Olga B. Garbuzenko, Andriy Kuzmov, Justin E. Sapiezynski, Oleh Taratula, Vatsal Shah, Min Zhang, Ronak Savla, Shali John, Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Tamara Minko. Tumor-targeted nanotherapeutics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4405. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4405

2-deoxy-D-glucose modified supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles enhance the contrasting effect on MRI of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 tumor in nude mice

To evaluate the role of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) modified supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) (γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs) in tumor detection as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs was prepared. The degree of A549 cells targeted absorption of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs was detected by Prussian blue staining, colorimetric assay, T2W and multi-echo sequence MRI. γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs was used as a control agent, and free D-glucose as a competitive inhibitor. Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 xenograft tumor was prepared in nude mice. Sterile aqueous suspension of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs or γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs was injected into the tail vein of nude mice. Before and 6, 12, 24, 48 h after injection, MRI imaging of the mice was performed. T2 signal intensity of the tumor, brain, liver and thigh skeletal muscles, and T2 values of the tumors were measured. The average diameter of the particles was about 10 nm, and there were no significant differences between the diameters of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs and γ- Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs. The IR spectra showed the C-N retractable vibration peak at γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs surface, indicating that 2-DG was conjugated to the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs. The Prussian blue staining, colorimetric assay, MRI T2 signal intensity and T2 values revealed that γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs were significantly more absorbed by A549 cells at growth peak than γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs, and the absorption of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NP was inhibited by free D-glucose. The results of in vivo examination showed that before and at 6, 12, 24, 48 h after injection of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs, the mean T2 signal intensities of the tumors were (326.00 ± 16.26)s, (276.40 ± 5.13)s, (268.40 ± 30.58)s, (240.40 ± 25.93)s, (262.20 ± 30.04)s, respectively, and the T2 values of the tumors were (735.80 ± 20.93) ms, (645.80 ± 69.58) ms, (615.00 ± 124.61) ms, (570.60 ± 67.78) ms, and (537.80 ± 105.29) ms, respectively. However, before and at 6, 12, 24, 48 h after injection of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs, the mean T2 signal intensities of the tumors were (335.60 ± 4.93)s, (290.80 ± 5.93)s, (273.40 ± 15.08)s, (327.40 ± 16.65)s, and (313.20 ± 20.45)s, respectively, and T2 values were (686.00 ± 21.44)ms, (617.80 ± 69.93)ms, (645.20 ± 85.89)ms, (669.40 ± 13.72)ms, and (608.80 ± 61.90)ms, respectively. The T2 signal intensity and T2 value of the tumors were not declined generally after injection. The liver T2 signal intensity was decreased after injection of both γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs, and T2 signal intensity of the brain and muscle did not show significant changes. γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs has an ability to target glucose receptors overexpressed in tumors, and may serve as a MRI contrast agent for tumor detection.

Genotoxicity of Different Nanocarriers: Possible Modifications for the Delivery of Nucleic Acids

The prevention of cyto- and genotoxicity of nanocarriers is an important task in nanomedicine. In the present investigation, we, at the first time using similar experimental conditions, compared genotoxicity of nanocarriers with different composition, architecture, size, molecular weight and charge. Poly(ethylene glycol) polymers, neutral and cationic liposomes, micelles, poly(amindo amine) and poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers, quantum dots, mesoporous silica, and supermagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were studied. All nanoparticles were used in non-cytotoxic concentrations. However, even in these concentrations, positively charged cationic liposomes, dendrimers, and SPIO nanoparticles induced genotoxicity leading to the significant formation of micronuclei in cells. Negatively charged and neutral nanocarriers were not genotoxic. A strong positive correlation was found between the number of formed micronuclei and the positive charge of nanocarriers. We proposed modifications of both types of dendrimers and SPIO nanoparticles that substantially decreased their genotoxicity and allowed for an efficient intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.

The next big things are tiny

The next big things are tiny

In vivo tumor targeting and imaging with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody-conjugated dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

BackgroundActive targeting by specific antibodies combined with nanoparticles is a promising technology for cancer imaging and detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the systemic delivery of antivascular endothelial growth factor antibodies conjugating to the surface of functionalized supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (anti-VEGF-NPs) led to target-specific accumulation in the tumor.MethodsThe VEGF expression in human colon cancer and in Balb/c mice bearing colon cancers was examined by immunohistochemistry. The distribution of these anti-VEGF-NPs particles or NPs particles were evaluated by MRI at days 1, 2, or 9 after the injection into the jugular vein of Balb/c mice bearing colon cancers. Tumor and normal tissues (liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) were collected and were examined by Prussian blue staining to determine the presence and distribution of NPs in the tissue sections.ResultsVEGF is highly expressed in human and mouse colon cancer tissues. MRI showed significant changes in the T*2 signal and T2 relaxation in the anti-VEGF-NP- injected-mice, but not in mice injected with NP alone. Examination of paraffin sections of tumor tissues stained for the iron constituent of the NPs with Prussian blue revealed a strong blue reaction in the tumors of anti-VEGF-NP-treated mice, but only a weak reaction in mice injected with NPs. In both groups, at all time points, Prussian blue-stained liver and spleen sections showed only light staining, while stained cells were rarely detected in kidney and lung sections. Transmission electron microscopy showed that many more electron-dense particles were present in endothelial cells, tumor cells, and extracellular matrix in tumor tissues in mice injected with anti-VEGF-NPs than in NP-injected mice.ConclusionThese results demonstrated in vivo tumor targeting and efficient accumulation of anti-VEGF-NPs in tumor tissues after systemic delivery in a colon cancer model, showing that anti-VEGF-NPs have potential for use as a molecular-targeted tumor imaging agent in vivo.

A magnetic resonance imaging nanosensor for Hg (II) based on thymidine-functionalized supermagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

A MRI nanosensor for Hg (II) was developed based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO NPs). The detection mechanism is attributed to Hg (II)-induced nanoassembly of thymidine-functionalized SPIO NPs from a dispersed to an aggregated state with a corresponding decrease in the transverse relaxation time ( T 2) of adjacent water protons. Furthermore, an enhancement of transverse relaxation rates (1/ T 2) showed the high selectivity for Hg (II) compared with other transition and main group metal ions.

Statistical optimization of Bacillus alcalophilus α-amylase immobilization on iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles

We report the statistical optimization of the immobilization of alkaline α-amylase [E.C. 3.2.1.1] from Bacillus alcalophilus onto nano-sized supermagnetic ironoxide nanoparticles (MNPs) for augmenting the cost effective industrial application of MNP-bound α-amylase. Both Plackett-Burman factorial design and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to screen the influence of different parameters and the central effect of response on the α-amylase-iron oxide MNP binding process. The high coefficient of determination (R2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the quadratic model indicated the competence of the proposed model. The size of the MNPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analyses in which Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested immobilization of the enzyme on iron-oxide MNPs. A significant improvement (∼ 26-fold) in specific activity, thermal and storage stability, and reusability of α-amylase after binding with iron-oxide MNP reinforced the improved biotechnological potential of the α-amylase iron-oxide MNP bioconjugate compared to free α-amylase. These results open new avenues for applying this MNP immobilized enzyme in different industrial sectors, notably in the paper and brewing industries.