Folic acid-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for tumor-targeting MR imaging

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been the subject of extensive research due to their potential biomedical applications. In the present investigation, superparamagnetic FA-PEI-Fe3O4 were successfully prepared and evaluated as a targeted MRI contrast agent. FTIR characteristics, TGA, VSM, and MR imaging confirmed the composition and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. TEM showed that FA-PEI-Fe3O4 were spherical in shape and well dispersed. The nanoparticles were superparamagnetic at room temperature with a saturation magnetization value of 67.1 emu/g. The nanoparticles showed higher uptake efficiency due to receptor-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, specificity of FA-PEI-Fe3O4 to target tumor cells was demonstrated by the increased nanoparticle uptake and significant contrast enhancement of KB cells over MCF7 cells. The competitive inhibition of FA-PEI-Fe3O4 by free FA further confirmed the specific interaction of this conjugate with FA receptors. In vivo MR imaging studies showed a decreased signal intensity and enhanced tumor contrast post-injection of FA-PEI-Fe3O4. These results indicate that FA-PEI-Fe3O4 can be used as a promising tumor-targeting agent as well as a T2 negative-contrast agent in MR imaging applications.