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Magnetic Nanoparticles in Human Cervical Skin
Kari Murros1, Joonas Wasiljeff2, Elena Macías-Sánchez3
1Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Frontiers in Medicine
|June 28, 2019
Summary
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were found in human neck skin for both Parkinson's patients and controls. A unique magnetic anomaly in Parkinson's patients suggests potential disease links.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite/maghemite) are present in human tissues, including the brain.
- These nanoparticles are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Their presence in peripheral tissues like skin is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of magnetite/maghemite nanoparticles in the cervical (neck) skin of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls.
- To explore potential magnetic differences in these nanoparticles between the groups.
Main Methods:
- Magnetometry and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze skin samples.
- Low-temperature magnetic measurements were conducted to detect magnetic anomalies.
Main Results:
- Magnetite/maghemite nanoparticles were detected in all participants' skin samples.
- No significant difference in nanoparticle concentration was found between Parkinson's patients and controls.
- A distinct magnetic anomaly at approximately 50 K was observed primarily in the dermal samples of Parkinson's patients, exceeding the signal from molecular oxygen.
Conclusions:
- The observed magnetic anomaly in Parkinson's patients suggests a unique interaction between superparamagnetic and single-domain-sized magnetite/maghemite nanoparticles in the skin.
- While the presence of these nanoparticles is confirmed, their source and specific role in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis require further investigation.
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