A mussel-inspired chitooligosaccharide based multidentate ligand for highly stabilized nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are promising for biomedical applications, but require effective surface modification for stability and biocompatibility.
• Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) inspire robust underwater adhesion, offering a model for biomimetic ligand design.
• Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are biocompatible polysaccharides with potential for nanoparticle functionalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize robust, biocompatible magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using a novel chitooligosaccharide (COS) based multidentate ligand (ML).
• To evaluate the colloidal stability, dispersion properties, and biocompatibility of the ML-stabilized IONPs.
• To assess the potential of ML-stabilized IONPs as contrast agents for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a multidentate ligand (ML) by modifying chitooligosaccharide (COS) with mussel adhesive protein (MAP) mimetic catechol groups and branched poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG).
• Coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with the synthesized ML to create ML-stabilized IONPs.
• Characterized the dispersion stability of ML-stabilized IONPs across a range of pH and salt concentrations.
• Performed in vivo imaging and relaxivity measurements to evaluate MRI contrast agent potential.

Main Results:

• The synthesized ML effectively stabilized IONPs, forming single nanoparticles with ML shells.
• ML-stabilized IONPs exhibited high dispersion stability in aqueous solutions under varying pH and concentrated salt conditions.
• In vivo imaging and relaxivity measurements demonstrated the potential of ML-stabilized IONPs as T2-weighted MRI contrast agents.
• The PEG integration into the COS coating enhanced colloidal stability and biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The mussel-inspired chitooligosaccharide-based multidentate ligand provides a robust and biocompatible coating for magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
• ML-stabilized IONPs demonstrate excellent stability and hold significant promise as effective contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging under physiological conditions.