Optimal conditions for labelling of 3T3 fibroblasts with magnetoliposomes without affecting cellular viability

A comparative study that deals with the internalisation of different types of magnetoliposomes (MLs) by 3T3 fibroblasts revealed that cationic MLs proved to be superior to neutral and anionic ones. Internalisation was visualised both by optical light and transmission electron microscopy. The latter showed that the cationic MLs ultimately ended up in lysosomal structures. The effect of increasing 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) concentrations in the cationic ML coat has been elucidated. High uptake efficiency was only achieved with MLs that carry a high DOTAP payload. However, these structures also demonstrated toxic effects. The use of the saturated distearoyl analogue (DSTAP) at identical concentrations led to improved uptake efficiency and lower toxicity. By using iron-oxide-free vesicles, it was shown that the toxicity was due to lipid bilayer constituents and not the iron oxide. In conclusion, the use of DMPC-DSTAP (96.67:3.33; molar ratio) MLs results in an extremely high labelling of 3T3 fibroblasts with iron oxides (47.66 pg Fe per cell) without evoking any influence on cell viability.