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Updated: May 8, 2026

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Using Magnetometry to Monitor Cellular Incorporation and Subsequent Biodegradation of Chemically Synthetized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: February 27, 2021
Different cell responses induced by exposure to maghemite nanoparticles
Yurena Luengo1, Stefania Nardecchia, María Puerto Morales
1Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049-Madrid, Spain. conchi.serrano@icmm.csic.es.
Nanoscale
|August 22, 2013
Summary
Surface properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) significantly impact their interaction with cells. Neutral NPs show reduced cellular uptake and damage, unlike charged NPs, crucial for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nanotechnology enables inorganic magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical use.
- Biocompatibility of NPs with biological systems remains a key concern.
- Understanding NP-cell interactions is vital for safe and effective applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how surface properties of iron oxide NPs influence their interaction with cell media and biological responses.
- To evaluate the effects of surface charge and hydrodynamic size on NP cellular uptake and toxicity.
- To compare responses across different cell types (murine fibroblasts and human osteoblasts) and NP coatings (DMSA, APS, dextran).
Main Methods:
- Preparation of iron oxide NPs with three distinct surface coatings: DMSA, APS, and dextran.
- Incubation of NPs with cell culture media to form protein coronas.
- Exposure of murine L929 fibroblasts and human Saos-2 osteoblasts to coated NPs.
- Assessment of cellular responses including viability, morphology, cell cycle, and NP internalization.
Main Results:
- Cellular responses varied significantly based on NP concentration, surface charge, and cell type.
- Neutral dextran-coated NPs exhibited reduced cellular internalization and negligible cell damage.
- Charged DMSA- and APS-coated NPs showed increased internalization, leading to significant changes in cell viability, morphology, and cell cycle.
- Cells demonstrated an ability to recognize original NP properties despite protein corona formation.
Conclusions:
- Surface physicochemical properties of iron oxide NPs critically dictate their biological interactions and cellular effects.
- Neutral surface coatings promote biocompatibility by limiting cellular uptake and toxicity.
- Charged NPs can induce significant cellular responses, necessitating careful consideration for biomedical applications.
- Cellular memory of NP properties highlights the importance of initial surface characteristics in NP-cell interactions.

