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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Cell Labeling and Targeting with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: October 19, 2015
ATP and NADPH coated iron oxide nanoparticles for targeting of highly metabolic tumor cells
D Bonvin1, J A M Bastiaansen, M Stuber
1Powder Technology Laboratory, Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The metabolic activity of tumor cells is known to be higher as compared to that of normal cells, which has been previously exploited to deliver nanomedicines to highly metabolic tumor cells. Unfortunately, current strategies, which are mostly based on complex energy sources, such as sugars, showed insufficient accumulation at the target sites. We here report the coating of IONPs with two essential units of cellular metabolism: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). ATP and NADPH were directly bound to the IONPs' surface using a simple aqueous method. Both molecules were used as coatings, i.e. as stabilizing agents, but also simultaneously as targeting molecules to deliver IONPs to highly metabolic tumor cells. Indeed, we found that the uptake of ATP-IONPs and NADPH-IONPs is correlated with the metabolic activity of tumor cells, especially regarding their cellular ATP levels and NADPH consumption. We also measured one of the highest MRI r2 relaxivities for both ATP-IONPs and NADPH-IONPs. With the direct coating of IONPs with ATP and NADPH, we therefore provide an optimal platform to stabilize IONPs and at the same time promising properties for the targeting and detection of highly metabolic tumor cells.
Insights
New iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) coated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) effectively target and detect metabolically active tumor cells. This simple method enhances nanoparticle stability and MRI imaging capabilities for cancer diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Tumor cells exhibit higher metabolic activity than normal cells, a characteristic exploited for targeted nanomedicine delivery.
- Existing nanomedicine strategies often rely on complex energy sources, leading to insufficient accumulation at tumor sites.
- Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are utilized in nanomedicine but require effective surface functionalization for targeted delivery and imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and effective method for coating IONPs with essential cellular metabolism units: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH).
- To investigate the potential of ATP- and NADPH-coated IONPs as targeting agents for highly metabolic tumor cells.
- To evaluate the theranostic properties of these functionalized IONPs, including their MRI relaxivity.
Main Methods:
- IONPs were coated with ATP and NADPH using a straightforward aqueous method, serving as both stabilizing and targeting agents.
- The cellular uptake of ATP-IONPs and NADPH-IONPs was assessed and correlated with tumor cell metabolic activity, specifically ATP levels and NADPH consumption.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) relaxivity (r2) was measured for the functionalized IONPs.
Main Results:
- ATP-IONPs and NADPH-IONPs demonstrated uptake directly correlated with tumor cell metabolic activity.
- The cellular uptake was particularly linked to cellular ATP levels and NADPH consumption.
- ATP-IONPs and NADPH-IONPs exhibited high MRI r2 relaxivities, indicating excellent potential for imaging.
Conclusions:
- Direct coating of IONPs with ATP and NADPH provides an efficient platform for nanoparticle stabilization.
- These functionalized IONPs show promising properties for targeted delivery to and detection of highly metabolic tumor cells.
- The developed IONPs offer a dual function as stable nanoparticles and effective agents for cancer theranostics via MRI.
