Surface Of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Labeling of islet cells with iron oxide nanoparticles through DNA hybridization for highly sensitive detection by MRI

A labeling method for islet cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) based on DNA hybridization is proposed for monitoring of transplanted islets by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The surfaces of SPIOs were modified by via Michael reaction by reacting oligo-(deoxyadenylic acid)-bearing a terminal thiol group at the 5′-end ((dA)20-SH) with maleic acid functional groups on the SPIOs. The SPIOs were immobilized on islet cells which had been pretreated with oligo-(thymidylic acid)–poly(ethylene glycol)–phospholipid conjugates ((dT)20–PEG–DPPE) through DNA hybridization. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that SPIOs were initially anchored on the islet cell surfaces and subsequently transferred to endosomes or exfoliated with time. The SPIO-labeled islet cells could be clearly detected as dark spots by T2∗-weighted MR image, whereas non-labeled islet cells could not be detected.

PEGylation of SPIONs by polycondensation reactions: a new strategy to improve colloidal stability in biological media

In this study, we report on a new route of PEGylation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) by polycondensation reaction with carboxylate groups. Structural and magnetic characterizations were performed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD confirmed the spinel structure with a crystallite average diameter in the range of 3.5–4.1 nm in good agreement with the average diameter obtained by TEM (4.60–4.97 nm). The TGA data indicate the presence of PEG attached onto the SPIONs’ surface. The SPIONs were superparamagnetic at room temperature with saturation magnetization (M S) from 36.7 to 54.1 emu/g. The colloidal stability of citrate- and PEG-coated SPIONs was evaluated by means of dynamic light scattering measurements as a function of pH, ionic strength, and nature of dispersion media (phosphate buffer and cell culture media). Our findings demonstrated that the PEG polymer chain length plays a key role in the coagulation behavior of the Mag-PEG suspensions. The excellent colloidal stability under the extreme conditions we evaluated, such as high ionic strength, pH near the isoelectric point, and cell culture media, revealed that suspensions comprising PEG-coated SPION, with PEG of molecular weight 600 and above, present steric stabilization attributed to the polymer chains attached onto the surface of SPIONs.

PH-Sensitive MR Responses Induced by Dendron-Functionalized SPIONs.

We report a series of investigations of the pH-sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) responses of various surface-functionalized SPIONs (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles). First, functionalization of ~12 nm highly monocrystalline SPION cores with three different generations of melamine-dendrons was optimized to give agents with high molar relaxivities (e.g. R2m ~300 mM-1·s-1 at 7 T and R1m ~20-30 mM-1·s-1 at 0.5 T) and excellent aqueous stabilities. Molar relaxivities were found to exhibit great sensitivity to pH at physiologically-relevant ionic strengths, with sharp inflections observed at pH values near the pKa of the melamine monomer. The strength of the effect was observed to grow with increasing dendron generation (with concomitant shift in the position of the main pH inflection). Opposing behavior in R2m and R2m * trends may be exploited to provide a ratiometric MR response to pH. Combined with TEM and corresponding MR measurements from solutions of varying ionic strengths, these results are consistent with the pH-sensitive behavior originating from transient, reversible SPION clustering modulated by an interplay between SPION surface charge density and solution ionic strength. Studies of SPION cellular uptake and MR response in HeLa cell cultures are also presented. Finally, comparisons with the MR responses of SPIONs with alternative functionalities-derivatives of nitrilotriacetic acid or poly(1-vinylimidazole)-indicate that these types of pH-sensitive MR responses can be highly dependent upon the chemical composition of the surface species (and thus amenable to modulation through rational design).

Direct monophasic replacement of fatty acid by DMSA on SPION surface

Tailoring the surface and understanding the surface characteristics is necessary for biomedical applications of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. In this paper, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared by thermal decomposition of iron nitrate in presence of stearic acid as surfactant. Due to the multilayer organization of surfactant molecules over the nanoparticle surface, the surface potential can be tuned by pH changes and hence the nanoparticles can be made dispersible in nonpolar as well as in polar solvents. We have presented a simple, facile procedure for controlled replacement of stearic acid from maghemite surface and subsequent derivatization by biocompatible dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to obtain ultrastable hydrophilic nanoparticles with unaltered morphology, phase and properties. The surface chemistry of the functionalized SPIONs was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealing the presence of bound and unbound thiol groups and disulfides, leading to its prolonged stability in aqueous medium. The consequence of spatially selective functionalization on the stability and solubility of surface hydrophilic SPION has also been realized.

Drug-Loaded and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Surface-Embedded Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Micelles for Integrated Chemotherapeutic Drug Delivery and MR Imaging

We report on the fabrication of organic/inorganic hybrid micelles of amphiphilic block copolymers physically encapsulated with hydrophobic drugs within micellar cores and stably embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles within hydrophilic coronas, which possess integrated functions of chemotherapeutic drug delivery and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast enhancement. Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(glycerol monomethacrylate), PCL-b-PGMA, and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized at first by combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and post- modification techniques, where OEGMA and FA are oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate and folic acid-bearing moieties, respectively. A model hydrophobic anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX), and 4 nm SPIO nanoparticles were then loaded into micellar cores and hydrophilic coronas, respectively, of mixed micelles fabricated from PCL-b-PGMA and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) diblock copolymers by taking advantage of the hydrophobicity of micellar cores and strong affinity between 1,2-diol moieties in PGMA and Fe atoms at the surface of SPIO nanoparticles. The controlled and sustained release of PTX from hybrid micelles was achieved, exhibiting a cumulative release of ~61% encapsulated drugs (loading content, 8.5 w/w%) over ~130 h. Compared to that of surfactant-stabilized single SPIO nanoparticles (r(2) = 28.3 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), the clustering of SPIO nanoparticles within micellar coronas led to considerably enhanced T(2) relaxivity (r(2) = 121.1 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), suggesting that hybrid micelles can serve as a T(2)-weighted MR imaging contrast enhancer with improved performance. Moreover, preliminary experiments of in vivo MR imaging were also conducted. These results indicate that amphiphilic block copolymer micelles surface embedded with SPIO nanoparticles at the hydrophilic corona can act as a new generation of nanoplatform integrating targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and disease diagnostic functions.

Peptide functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) attracts great attention in cellular and molecular imaging due to its non-invasive and multidimensional tomographic capabilities. Development of new contrast agents is necessary to enhance the MRI signal in tissues of interest. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as contrast agents for signal enhancement as they have revealed extraordinary magnetic properties at the nanometre size and their toxicity level is very low compared to other commercial contrast agents. In this study, we developed a new method to functionalize the surface of SPIONs. Peptide amphiphile molecules are used to coat SPIONs non-covalently to provide water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. Superparamagnetic properties of the peptide–SPION complexes and their ability as contrast agents are demonstrated. In vitrocell culture experiments reveal that the peptide–SPION complexes are biocompatible and are localized around the cells due to their peptide coating.

Complete separation of magnetic nanoparticlesvia chemical cleavage of dextran by ethylenediamine for intracellular uptake

Completely water dispersible and highly monodispersed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared. The surface of SPIONs was modified with dual-crosslinked amine activated dextran (AMD) and chemical cleavage of AMD on SPIONs was carried out by ethylenediamine hydrochloride (EDA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that individual SPIONs were completely separated in water and the average diameter of resulting nanoparticles was 4.4 nm.

Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles as a Powerful Systems Biology Characterization Tool in the Physiological Context

Recently, functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been utilized for protein separation and therapeutic delivery of DNA and drugs. The development of new methods and tools for the targeting and identification of specific biomolecular interactions within living systems is of great interest in the fields of systems biology, target and drug identification, drug delivery, and diagnostics. Magnetic separation of organelles and proteins from complex whole-cell lysates allows enrichment and elucidation of intracellular interaction partners for a specific immobilized protein or peptide on the surface of SPIONs.

Fixed Bed Reactor for Solid-Phase Surface Derivatization of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles

The functionalization of nanoparticles is conditio sine qua non in studies of specific interaction with a biological target. Often, their biological functionality is achieved by covalent binding of bioactive molecules on a preexisting single surface coating. The yield and quality of the resulting coated and functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can be significantly improved and reaction times reduced by using solid-phase synthesis strategies. In this study, a fixed bed reactor with a quadrupole repulsive arrangement of permanent magnets was assayed for SPION surface derivatization. The magnet array around the fixed bed reactor creates very high magnetic field gradients that enables the immobilization of SPIONs with a diameter as low as 9 nm. The functionalization on the surface of immobilized 25 nm 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane-coated SPIONs (APS-SPIONs) was performed using fluorescein-isothiocyanate directly, and by the SV40 large T-antigen nuclear localization signal peptide (PKKKRKVGC) conjugated to acryloylpoly(ethylene glycol)-N-hydroxysuccinimide, where the PEG reagent is conjugated first to create a functionalized nanoparticle and the peptide is added to the acryloyl group. We show that the yield of reactant grafted on the surface of the APS-coated SPIONs was higher in solid-phase within the fixed bed reactor compared to conventional liquid-phase chemistry. In summary, the functionalization of SPIONs using a magnetically fixed bed reactor was superior to the liquid-phase reaction in terms of the yield, reaction times required for derivatization, size distribution, and scalability.

Localization to atherosclerotic plaque and biodistribution of biochemically derivatized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) contrast particles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Annexin V recognizes apoptotic cells by specific molecular interaction with phosphatidyl serine, a lipid that is normally sequestered in the inner leaflet of the cell membrane, but is translocated to the outer leaflet in apoptotic cells, such as foam cells of atherosclerotic plaque. Annexin V could potentially deliver carried materials (such as superparamagnetic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging) to sites containing apoptotic cells, such as high grade atherosclerotic lesions, so we administered biochemically-derivatized (annexin V) superparmagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIONs) parenterally to two related rabbit models of human atherosclerosis. We observe development of negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast in atheromatous lesions and but not in healthy artery. Vascular targeting by annexin V SPIONs is atheroma-specific (i.e., does not occur in healthy control rabbits) and requires active annexin V decorating the SPION surface. Targeted SPIONs produce negative contrast at doses that are 2,000-fold lower than reported for non-specific atheroma uptake of untargeted superparamagnetic nanoparticles in plaque in the same animal model. Occlusive and mural plaques are differentiable. While most of the dose accumulates in liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder, annexin V SPIONs also partition rapidly and deeply into early apoptotic foamy macrophages in plaque. Contrast in plaque decays within 2 months, allowing MRI images to be replicated with a subsequent, identical dose of annexin V SPIONs. Thus, biologically targeted superparamagnetic contrast agents can contribute to non-invasive evaluation of cardiovascular lesions by simultaneously extracting morphological and biochemical data from them.

Surface modification of hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles for clinical applications

Monodisperse superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)/sub 5/ and by consecutive aeration in organic medium. The resultant hydrophobic SPION surface was modified to be hydrophilic via Fe-S covalent bond with bi-functional 3-mercaptopropionic acid and then, the terminal carboxylic acid group was esterified with dextran for biocompatibility. Analysis by water dispersity, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy are reported.

The Effect of Biocompatible Coating Layers on Magnetic Properties of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The effect of the surface coating on the magnetic properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) with 8 nm in size has been studied. Four different biocompatible coating layers are considered: poly L,L-lactic acid (PLLA), poly e-caprolactone (PCL), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and gold. The presence of coating layer on the surface of SPION is confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that for uncoated SPION and Au@SPION the superparamagnetic fraction is retained. The formation of clusters in the case of BSA@SPION and chain-like structure for PCL@SPION and PLLA@SPION increase the inter-particle interactions resulting in hyperfine magnetic structure observed in the Mossbauer spectra at ambient temperature.