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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Using Magnetometry to Monitor Cellular Incorporation and Subsequent Biodegradation of Chemically Synthetized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: February 27, 2021
Mass imaging of iron oxide nanoparticles inside cells for in vitro cytotoxicity
Hyun Kyong Shon1, Jungsin Park, Inhong Choi
1Center for Nano-Bio Convergence Research, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon 305-600, Korea.
Abstract:
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging analysis was performed on murine macrophage cells treated with various concentrations of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, which are used as MRI contrast agents. First, murine macrophage cells were seeded on a slide glass for 24 hrs and treated with varying concentrations of Fe3O4 nanoparticles for 24 hrs. To expose a cross section of each cell and obtain a distribution of the nanoparticles inside the cells, the cells were sputtered using Bi ions after which the cross section of each cell was scanned and imaged using the focused cluster ion beam with a spatial resolution of 300 nm. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were found mainly in the cytoplasm region of the cells, not in the nucleus region of cells, suggesting that the uptake of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were into the cytoplasm of cell, not into the nucleus of cell. Based on these observations, our protocol using mass imaging analysis would be a useful addition to the study of in vitro nanoparticle cytotoxicity.
Insights
Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, used as MRI contrast agents, were found in macrophage cytoplasm, not the nucleus. This mass imaging analysis aids in studying nanoparticle cytotoxicity in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are utilized as contrast agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Understanding nanoparticle intracellular localization is crucial for assessing potential cytotoxicity and biological effects.
- Murine macrophage cells are a relevant model for studying cellular responses to foreign materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular distribution of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles within murine macrophage cells.
- To evaluate the utility of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging for analyzing nanoparticle uptake.
- To determine if Fe3O4 nanoparticles localize in the cytoplasm or nucleus of macrophage cells.
Main Methods:
- Murine macrophage cells were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
- Cells were prepared for imaging, including sputtering with Bi ions to expose intracellular structures.
- Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging with a focused cluster ion beam was employed to analyze nanoparticle distribution at 300 nm resolution.
Main Results:
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles were predominantly detected within the cytoplasm of the murine macrophage cells.
- No significant accumulation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was observed in the nucleus of the treated cells.
- The mass imaging analysis successfully visualized the spatial distribution of nanoparticles within the cellular compartments.
Conclusions:
- Fe3O4 nanoparticle uptake in murine macrophages occurs primarily in the cytoplasm, with minimal entry into the nucleus.
- The developed ToF-SIMS mass imaging protocol is effective for in vitro analysis of nanoparticle localization and distribution.
- This methodology provides valuable insights for future studies on nanoparticle cytotoxicity and intracellular fate.
