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Using Magnetometry to Monitor Cellular Incorporation and Subsequent Biodegradation of Chemically Synthetized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: February 27, 2021
Functionalizable silica-based micron-sized iron oxide particles for cellular magnetic resonance imaging
Nathanael Raschzok1, Carolin M Langer, Christian Schmidt
1General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Experimental Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Cell Transplantation
|January 9, 2013
Summary
New silica-based micron-sized iron oxide particles (sMPIOs) allow noninvasive tracking of transplanted cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These biocompatible particles are suitable for clinical applications, enabling cellular visualization with high contrast.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cellular therapies necessitate noninvasive methods for tracking transplanted cells.
- Micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIOs) offer strong MRI contrast but lacked clinical applicability.
- Existing MPIOs were not suitable for direct clinical translation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate novel silica-based micron-sized iron oxide particles (sMPIOs) for cellular MRI.
- To functionalize sMPIOs for improved cell labeling and potential targeted applications.
- To assess the biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and MRI detectability of sMPIOs.
Main Methods:
- sMPIOs synthesized via sol-gel process with >40% magnetite content and COOH surface functionalization.
- Covalent attachment of fluorescein, poly-L-lysine (PLL), and streptavidin (SA) to sMPIO surfaces.
- In vitro studies involving HuH7 cells and primary human/rat hepatocytes for labeling, toxicity, and MRI evaluation at 3.0 T.
Main Results:
- Monodisperse sMPIOs (1.18 µm) with high iron content achieved rapid cellular labeling (<4 h), with PLL-modified particles showing highest uptake.
- MRI detection limits were 1,000 cells (T2*-weighted) and 10,000 cells (T1-weighted LAVA).
- Cellular labeling was stable with no observed adverse effects on cell viability or function.
Conclusions:
- sMPIOs are biocompatible, clinically relevant particles suitable for noninvasive cellular MRI.
- Functionalizable surfaces allow for versatile applications in cell tracking, targeted delivery, and diagnostics.
- sMPIOs represent a promising tool for advancing cellular therapies and clinical imaging.
