Magnetic dipole interaction of endogenous magnetic nanoparticles with magnetoliposomes for targeted drug delivery

Dynamics of magnetoliposomes binding to the tumor cells and the efficiency of their recognition for targeted drug delivery is largely determined by physical interaction. In this paper we assess the strength of magnetic dipole interaction that occurs between endogenous magnetic nanoparticles in tumor cells and exogenous magnetic nanoparticles as a component of magnetoliposomes, and compare it with the forces of specific binding of the antigen-antibody complex. To assess the strength of magnetic dipole interaction the model of chains of identical particles was used, and an order of magnitude, 10^?9 N, was obtained. Thus, the indicated force has an order of magnitude close to the forces of specific binding, and even more. The force of magnetic dipole interaction between a magnetically marked dosage form and tumor cells is virtually the additional specific binding force — “passive targeting” for targeted drug delivery in consequence of the fact that tumor cells tend to contain the number of biogenic nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) by an order of magnitude greater than normal.     

Double-Layer Magnetic Nanoparticle-Embedded Silica Particles for Efficient Bio-Separation

Superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) based nanomaterials have been exploited in various biotechnology fields including biomolecule separation. However, slow accumulation of Fe₃O₄ NPs by magnets may limit broad applications of Fe₃O₄ NP-based nanomaterials. In this study, we report fabrication of Fe₃O₄ NPs double-layered silica nanoparticles (DL MNPs) with a silica core and highly packed Fe₃O₄ NPs layers. The DL MNPs had a superparamagnetic property and efficient accumulation kinetics under an external magnetic field. Moreover, the magnetic field-exposed DL MNPs show quantitative accumulation, whereas Fe₃O₄ NPs single-layered silica nanoparticles (SL MNPs) and silica-coated Fe₃O₄ NPs produced a saturated plateau under full recovery of the NPs. DL MNPs are promising nanomaterials with great potential to separate and analyze biomolecules.     

Controlled Release of Doxorubicin from Magnetoliposomes Assisted by Low-Frequency Magnetic Field

The article presents magnetoliposomes as potential carriers of doxorubicin. The magnetic properties of nanoparticles embedded in liposomes enable the targeting of drug-loaded carriers to cancer cells and subsequent release of their payload using an external alternating magnetic field as a trigger. The cytotoxicity of empty and doxorubicin-loaded magnetoliposomes in the absence and after exposure to magnetic field was evaluated in cancerous and normal breast cells. The characteristic shows the carrier with size distribution <130 nm, slightly negative zeta potential and polydispersity index <0.2. Doxorubicin was encapsulated in magnetoliposomes with an efficiency of 31 % and released in the presence of an alternating magnetic field at 50 %. Magnetoliposomes with drug provided high cytotoxic effect on tumor cells and low cytotoxic effect on normal cells. The research conducted in this article may indicate the potential application of the studied magnetoliposomes in release of drugs under the influence of magnetic field in cancer cells.     

Biodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene by Microbial Cells Coated with Magnetite Nanoparticles

Microbial cells of Pseudomonas delafieldii were coated with magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and then immobilized by external application of a magnetic field. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation method followed by modification with ammonium oleate. The surface-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were monodispersed in an aqueous solution and did not precipitate in over 18 months. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the average size of the magnetic particles was found to be in the range from 10 to 15 nm. TEM cross section analysis of the cells showed further that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were for the most part strongly absorbed by the surfaces of the cells and coated the cells. The coated cells had distinct superparamagnetic properties. The magnetization (δ_s) was 8.39 emu · g⁻¹. The coated cells not only had the same desulfurizing activity as free cells but could also be reused more than five times. Compared to cells immobilized on Celite, the cells coated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles had greater desulfurizing activity and operational stability.     

Heat Transfer in MHD Mixed Convection Flow of a Ferrofluid along a Vertical Channel

This study investigated heat transfer in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection flow of ferrofluid along a vertical channel. The channel with non-uniform wall temperatures was taken in a vertical direction with transverse magnetic field. Water with nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe ₃ O ₄) was selected as a conventional base fluid. In addition, non-magnetic (Al ₂ O ₃) aluminium oxide nanoparticles were also used. Comparison between magnetic and magnetite nanoparticles were also conducted. Fluid motion was originated due to buoyancy force together with applied pressure gradient. The problem was modelled in terms of partial differential equations with physical boundary conditions. Analytical solutions were obtained for velocity and temperature. Graphical results were plotted and discussed. It was found that temperature and velocity of ferrofluids depend strongly on viscosity and thermal conductivity together with magnetic field. The results of the present study when compared concurred with published work.     

Development of oleic acid-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles as hydrophobic probes for concentrating peptides with MALDI-TOF-MS analysis

The oleic acid‐functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (OA‐Fe₃O₄) with mean diameter of about 15 nm were synthesized through a low‐cost, one‐pot method and were designed as hydrophobic probes to realize the convenient, efficient and fast concentration of low‐concentration peptides followed by MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis. The capability of OA‐Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in concentration of low‐abundance peptides from simple and complex solutions were evaluated by comparing them with a sort of C8‐modified magnetic microspheres. Samples of standard peptide solution, protein digest solution and human serum were introduced in the evaluating process, and the OA‐Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibited good surface affinity toward low‐concentration peptides     

Biogenic magnetite as a basis for magnetic field detection in animals

Bacteria, sharks, honey bees, and homing pigeons as well as other organisms seem to detect the direction of the earth's magnetic field. Indirect but reproducible evidence suggests that the bees and birds can also respond to very minute changes in its intensity. The mechanisms behind this sensitivity are not known. Naturally magnetic, biologically precipitated magnetite (Fe₃O₄) has been found in chitons, magnetotactic bacteria, honey bees, homing pigeons, and dolphins. Its mineralization in localized areas may be associated with the ability of these animals to respond to the direction and intensity of the earth's magnetic field. The presence of large numbers (～10⁸) of superparamagnetic magnetite crystals in honey bees and similar numbers of single-domain magnetite grains in pigeons suggests that there may be at least two basic types of ferrimagnetic magnetoreceptive organelles. Theoretical calculations show that ferrimagnetic organs using either type of grain when integrated by the nervous system are capable of accounting for even the most extreme magnetic field sensitivities reported. Indirect evidence suggests that organic magnetite may be a common biological component, and may account for the results of numerous high field and electromagnetic experiments on animals.     

Antitumor Effect of TRAIL on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma using Magnetic Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Expression

We developed a new magnetic nanovector to improve the efficiency and targeting of transgene therapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Positively charged polymer PEI-modified Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were tested as gene transfer vectors in the presence of a magnetic field. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by a co-precipitation method and had good dispersibility in water. These nanoparticles modified by PEI were combined with negatively charged pACTERT-EGFP via electrostatic interaction. The transfection efficiency of the magnetic nano-gene vector with the magnetic field was determined by a fluorescence-inverted microscope and flow cytometry. The results showed significant improvement compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The magnetic complexes also exhibited up to 6-times higher transfection efficiency compared with commonly used PEI or lipofectin. On the basis of these results, the antitumor effect with suicide gene therapy using pACTERT-TRAIL in vitro and vivo was evaluated. In vitro apoptosis was determined with the Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The results suggested that PEI-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could mediate the killing of Tca83 cells. Furthermore, treatment with pACTERT-TRAIL delivered by magnetic nanoparticles showed a significant cytostatic effect through the induction of apoptosis in a xenograft model. This indicates that magnetic nano-gene vectors could improve the transgene efficiency for Tca83 cells and could exhibit antitumor functions with the plasmid pACTERT-TRAIL. This may be a new way to treat OSCC.     

A simple and rapid harvesting method for microalgae by in situ magnetic separation

A simple and rapid harvesting method by in situ magnetic separation with naked Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed for the microalgal recovery of Botryococcus braunii and Chlorella ellipsoidea. After adding the magnetic particles to the microalgal culture broth, the microalgal cells were adsorbed and then separated by an external magnetic field. The maximal recovery efficiency reached more than 98% for both microalgae at a stirring speed of 120 r/min within 1 min, and the maximal adsorption capacity of these Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles reached 55.9 mg-dry biomass/mg-particles for B. braunii and 5.83 mg-dry biomass/mg-particles for C. ellipsoidea. Appropriate pH value and high nanoparticle dose were favorable to the microalgae recovery, and the adsorption mechanism between the naked Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and the microalgal cells was mainly due to the electrostatic attraction. The developed in situ magnetic separation technology provides a great potential for saving time and energy associated with improving microalgal harvesting.     

Surface Plasmon Resonance Enhanced Faraday Rotation in Fe3O4/Ag Nanoparticles Doped Diamagnetic Glass

Diamagnetic TeO₂-PbO-B₂O₃ glasses were melt-quenching fabricated and characterized for Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles doping through radio-frequency sputtering and thermal treatment techniques. The surface plasmon resonance influenced structure, composition, optical, and magneto optical properties of Fe₃O₄/Ag doped glasses were investigated through XRD, SEM, XPS analysis, and Faraday rotation measurement. The optimized sputtering and thermal conditions Fe₃O₄ and Ag nanoparticles were obtained. Under the optimized conditions, a great enhancement of Faraday rotation, thermal property, and big UV cutoff red-shift due to the excited surface plasma’s resonance effect was achieved in diamagnetic glass.

     

Synthesis,characterization and MRI application of dextran-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles

Biocompatible ferrofluid based on dextran-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was prepared through a one-step method. In contrast to the conventional co-precipitation method, hydrazine hydrate was added as reducing agent and precipitator in the present investigation. The effects of hydrazine hydrate, the weight ratio of dextran to MNPs and the molecular weight of dextran on the dispersibility of MNPs in water were investigated. Also, the particles size of modified MNP and coating efficiency of dextran on MNPs were measured. In addition, biocompatible ferrofluid was intravenously injected into rabbits, the iron content in blood and organs at different times were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer, and the bio-distribution and the bio-transportation of ferrofluid in organs was examined. Then, the magnetic resonance (MR) images of liver, marrow and lymph were acquired by MRI experiments before and after intravenous injection of ferrofluid. Image analysis revealed that the MR signal intensity of these organs notably decreased after intensified by ferrofluid. However, when there existed tumors in organs, the signal intensity of tumor did not change after injection. From that the tumor can easily be identified, which indicated a potential application of the as-prepared MNP in functional molecular imaging for biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.     

In vitro spectroscopic investigation of groove binding interaction of Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@L-Dopa with calf thymus DNA

Abstract

The principal goal of this study is to evaluate the interaction of Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH@L-Dopa and Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH nanoparticles with calf thymus DNA. The magnetic nanoparticles were previously prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method, and the surface of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was coated with CaAl layered double hydroxides. The antiparkinsonian drug “L-Dopa” was carried by this core–shell nanostructure to achieve the drug delivery system with suitable properties for biological applications. Also, the interaction of Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH@L-Dopa and Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH nanoparticles with CT-DNA was studied using, UV–Visible spectroscopy, viscosity, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The results of investigations demonstrated that Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH@L-Dopa and Fe₃O₄@CaAl-LDH nanoparticles have interacted via minor groove binding and intercalated to CT-DNA, respectively.     

Detoxification of hexavalent chromate by Amphibacillus sp. KSUCr3 cells immobilised in silica-coated magnetic alginate beads

Recently isolated Cr(VI)-reducing Amphibacillus KSUCr3 whole cells were immobilised in magnetic gels. Magnetic magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesised with an average particle size of 47 nm and 80 electromagnetic unit (emu)/g saturation magnetisation. Whole cells were immobilised by entrapment in agar, agarose, alginate, or gelatin in the presence or absence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for the preparation of both magnetic and nonmagnetic immobilised cells. Of the gels tested, alginate was selected as the best immobilisation matrix, and following optimisation of the entrapment process, the immobilisation yield reached 92.5%. In addition to the ease of separation and reuse of the magnetic cell-containing alginate beads using an external magnet, the magnetically immobilised cells showed approximately 16% higher Cr(VI) reduction activity compared with nonmagnetic immobilised cells. To improve their physical and mechanical properties, the magnetic alginate beads were successfully coated with a dense silica layer using sol-gel chemistry and Ca(OH)₂, an alkaline catalyst for tetraethyl orthosilicate, to avoid leaching of Ca²⁺ ions. Amphibacillus KSUCr3 cells immobilised in silica-coated magnetic alginate beads showed approximately 1.4- to 3.9-fold enhancement of thermal stability compared with free cells. Furthermore, after seven batch cycles, the Cr(VI) reduction activity of free cells decreased to 48%, whereas immobilised cells still retained 81.1% of their original activity. In addition, the Cr(VI)-reduction rate of immobilised cells was higher relative to free cells, especially at higher Cr(VI) concentrations. These results supported the development of a novel, efficient biocatalysts for Cr(VI) detoxification using a combination of whole cell immobilisation, sol-gel chemistry, and nanotechnology.     

Microwave absorption by magnetite: A possible mechanism for coupling nonthermal levels of radiation to biological systems

The presence of trace amounts of biogenic magnetite (Fe₃O₄) in animal and human tissues and the observation that ferromagnetic particles are ubiquitous in laboratory materials (including tissue culture media) provide a physical mechanism through which microwave radiation might produce or appear to produce biological effects. Magnetite is an excellent absorber of microwave radiation at frequencies between 0.5 and 10.0 GHz through the process of ferromagnetic resonance, where the magnetic vector of the incident field causes precession of Bohr magnetons around the internal demagnetizing field of the crystal. Energy absorbed by this process is first transduced into acoustic vibrations at the microwave carrier frequency within the crystal lattice via the magnetoacoustic effect; then, the energy should be dissipated in cellular structures in close proximity to the magnetite crystals. Several possible methods for testing this hypothesis experimentally are discussed. Studies of microwave dosimetry at the cellular level should consider effects of biogenic magnetite. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Influence of Fe0 nanoparticles,magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticles,and iron (II) sulfate (FeSO4) solutions on the content of photosynthetic pigments in Triticum vulgare

Seeds and seedlings of soft wheat (Triticum vulgare Vill.) were used to study seed germination, leaf elongation, and the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids) as affected by five concentrations of iron-containing nanoparticles (NP): spherical Fe⁰ NP with the diameter of 80 ± 5 nm and the magnetite Fe₃O₄ NP measuring 50–80 nm in width and 4–10 nm in height. The effects of FeSO₄ solutions were also tested for comparison. The parameters examined varied as a function of the exogenous agent applied, the agent concentration, and the exposure duration. The highest sensitivity of seedlings was observed in the presence of increasing concentrations of iron (II) sulfate in the nutrient medium. This was evident from the decrease in seed germination percentage, inhibition of leaf growth, and the diminished content of photosynthetic pigments. The apparent toxicity of iron nanoforms varied depending on the parameter examined. (1) The strongest inhibition of germination was exerted by Fe⁰ NP (toxicity assessed from germination percentage was 3.3% higher with Fe⁰ NP than with magnetite NP); (2) the inhibition of leaf elongation on the 4th day after germination was most evident in the presence of Fe⁰ NP (a 12% stronger inhibition in the presence of Fe⁰ NP than in the presence of magnetite NP), whereas on the 7th day the inhibition was most pronounced with magnetite NP (a 9% stronger inhibition in the presence of Fe₃SO₄ NP than in the presence of Fe⁰ NP); (3) the lowest total content of photosynthetic pigments on the 4th day of seedling growth was noted in the presence of magnetite NP (8% lower in the presence of Fe₃SO₄ NP than in the presence of Fe⁰ NP), whereas on the 7th day the lowest pigment pool was observed in the presence Fe⁰ NP (a 3% reduction compared to that in the presence of magnetite NP). The highest content of photosynthetic pigments was recorded in the presence of 0.125 and 0.001 g/L of Fe⁰ NP, 0.5 g/L and 1 μg/L of Fe₃O₄ NP, and 1 mg/L FeSO₄.     

Optimization of the covalent coupling and ionic adsorption of magnetic nanoparticles on Flavobacterium ATCC 27551 using the Taguchi method

Abstract

Flavobacterium ATCC 27551 was used as a model system for the preparation of magnetic biocatalysts. The magnetic modification was carried out by covalently binding carboxylate- and amino-modified magnetic nanoparticles onto cells. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were also used for ionic adsorption on the cell surface. Magnetically modified cells were concentrated using a magnet and exhibited organophosphate hydrolyzing activity. The Taguchi method was used to optimize the binding of the magnetic nanoparticles on the cell surface. SEM image analyses demonstrated good linkage of the magnetic nanoparticles over the Flavobacterium ATCC 27551 cell surface. Under optimal conditions, the magnetic cells displayed specific activity ratios of 93%, 89% and 95%, compared with untreated cells, after the covalent coupling with carboxylate- and amino-modified magnetic nanoparticles and the ionic adsorption of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, respectively.     

Electrospinning of Cross-Linked Magnetic Chitosan Nanofibers for Protein Release

A poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) electrospun/magnetic/chitosan nanocomposite fibrous cross-linked network was fabricated using in situ cross-linking electrospinning technique and used for bovine serum albumin (BSA) loading and release applications. Sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and glutaraldehyde (GA) were used as cross-linkers which modified magnetic-Fe₃O₄ chitosan as Fe₃O_4/CS/TPP and Fe₃O_4/CS/GA, respectively. BSA was used as a model protein drugs which was encapsulated to form Fe₃O₄/CS/TPP/BSA and Fe₃O₄/CS/GA/BSA nanoparticles. The composites were electrospun with PVA to form nanofibers. Nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characterization results suggest that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with average size of 45 nm were successfully bound on the surface of chitosan. The cross-linked nanofibers were found to contain uniformly dispersed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The size and morphology of the nanofibers network was controlled by varying the cross-linker type. FTIR data show that these two polymers have intermolecular interactions. The sample with TPP cross-linker showed an enhancement of the controlled release properties of BSA during 30-h experimental investigation.

Graphical Abstract

Open in a separate windowᅟKEY WORDS: cross-linker, electrospun, magnetite, mano-composite, protein loading     

Exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles in simplified food chain: Study on ultrastructural characterization

The widespread exposure of metallic nanoparticles to the aquatic ecosystem and its adverse impact on human life is the colossal concern worldwide. In view of this, this context was investigated to analyze microscopically the bioaccumulation and localization of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles in the cellular organelles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) in aquatic conditions. Initially, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were absorbed on to Elodea (Elodea canadensis) and fed to molluscs (Melanopsis praemorsa). Fish were fed with the same molluscs, and then the intestines and liver were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that nanoparticles were present in the cytoplasm and other organelles of cells (mitochondrion and lysosome) by absorbing through microvilli of the epithelial cells of the tunica mucosa in the intestine. Further, nanoparticles passed through the vessels of the lamina propria of the tunica mucosa and reached to the sinusoids of the liver via blood circulation. It was then accumulated from the endothelium of the sinusoid to the cytoplasm of liver hepatocytes and to mitochondria and lysosome. The accumulation of nanoparticles in the epithelial cells, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and lysosome revealed the degree of transparency of the pattern with slight hesitation. In summary, this investigation contributed towards the understanding of the physiological effects of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on O. mykiss, which ascertains essentiality for sustainable development of nanobiotechnology in the aquatic ecosystem.     

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Magnetism of Synthetic Greigite and Greigite Magnetosomes in Magnetotactic Bacteria

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy at the Fe 2p (L_2,3), O1s, C1s, and S2p edges was used to study greigite magnetosomes and other cellular content of a magnetotactic bacterium known as a multicellular magnetotactic prokaryote (MMP). X-ray absorption spectrum (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra of greigite (Fe₃S₄) nanoparticles, synthesized via a hydrothermal method, were measured. Although XAS of the synthetic greigite nanoparticles and biotic magnetosome crystals in MMPs are slightly different due to partial oxidation of the MMP greigite, the XMCD spectra of the two materials are in good agreement. The Fe 2p XAS and XMCD spectra of Fe₃S₄ are quite different from those of its oxygen analog, magnetite (Fe₃O₄), suggesting Fe₃S₄ has a different electronic and magnetic structure than Fe₃O₄ despite having the same crystal structure. Sulfate and sulfide species were also identified in MMPs, both of which are likely involved in sulfur metabolism.     

巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒制备及多形性胶质母细胞瘤MRI成像的初步实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒（Fe3O4 NCs@MM）对多形性胶质母细胞瘤MRI成像的研究。方法：制备巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM,利用动态光散射（Dynamic Light Scattering,DLS）和透射电子显微镜（Transmission Electron Microscope,TEM）对其水合动力学粒径、表面电势和形态进行表征。采用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,SDS-PAGE）评价巨噬细胞膜的完整包覆;紫外可见光谱测定巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒抗蛋白吸附能力。通过MRI成像系统,分析了含不同浓度的Fe元素（0.1-1.6 mM）的Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM在GSH存在或不存在时的T₁弛豫效应。采用细胞增殖-毒性实验（Cell Counting Kit-8,CCK-8）,测定巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒处理肿瘤细胞24 h后的细胞活性。尾静脉注射巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒至原位胶质母细胞瘤模型中,观察成像效果。结果：巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM的水合动力学粒径和表面电势分别为 286.5±7.6 nm和-20.7±3.5 mV,且在水溶液中分布均匀,具有较好的单分散性。包覆巨噬细胞膜的纳米铁颗粒具备抗蛋白吸附的能力。MRI成像显示,制备的巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM为GSH响应型MRI对比剂,具有较好的T₁-加权磁共振成像效果,在尾静脉注射巨噬细胞膜的纳米铁颗粒0.5 h后,肿瘤部位的信号可见增强。结论：巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM可实现多形性胶质母细胞瘤的MRI成像。