Unveiling the differences: A comprehensive multi-technique analysis of hard and soft nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology and Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmacology and Drug Delivery

Background:

• Nanoparticles (NPs) are crucial for advanced applications like biomedicine and drug delivery due to their unique interactions with biological systems.
• Soft nanocarriers (niosomes, NVs) and hard nanocarriers (Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, IONPs) present distinct advantages for targeted therapy and diagnostics.
• Understanding the behavior of different NP types, particularly concerning surface modifications, is vital for optimizing drug delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluation of soft niosomes (NVs) and hard Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs).
• To compare the physicochemical properties, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity profiles of NVs and IONPs.
• To investigate the impact of surface modifications, specifically chitosan coating on NVs, on their performance in drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of nanoparticle physicochemical properties using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
• Assessment of cellular uptake via magnetic cell separation for IONPs and confocal microscopy for calcein-loaded NVs.
• Evaluation of nanoparticle biocompatibility through cytotoxicity studies on Calu-3 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Main Results:

• Chitosan modification of NVs (NVsB-Chit) increased particle dimensions and shifted zeta potential to positive values, enhancing cellular interactions and uptake.
• NVsB-Chit exhibited zeta potential comparable to commercial coated ferrofluids.
• Both NVs and IONPs (FluidMAG) demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity on Calu-3 cells, especially at lower concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Surface modifications significantly influence nanoparticle behavior, with chitosan-coated niosomes showing improved cellular uptake.
• Both niosomes and IONPs exhibit good biocompatibility, making them suitable candidates for drug delivery systems.
• An interdisciplinary approach combining physicochemical and biological evaluations is crucial for designing efficient, safe, and targeted nanomedicines.