Multi-Core Magnetite Nanorods as High-Performance Magnetic Hyperthermia Agents for Anti-Inflammatory Treatment of...

This in vitro study focuses on the synthesis of polyethylenimine-coated multi-core magnetite nanorods (PEI-MMNRs) aiming to obtain effective magnetic hyperthermia agents to eliminate inflammatory macrophage cells in atherosclerosis disease. The PEI-MMNRs are fabricated using a four-step method, starting with the synthesis of akaganeite nanorods, followed by a phase transformation to magnetite, surface modification with polyethylenimine, and a change to a multi-core state. The obtained product with an excellent colloidal stability at physiological pH as well as a highly magnetizable structure exhibits a prominent heating efficiency for magnetic hyperthermia treatment (MHT) at an optimal condition of an alternating magnetic field and sample concentration. Moreover, PEI-MMNRs show low toxicity and excellent cellular uptake when co-cultured with inflammatory macrophage cells (Raw 264.7 cell line). Most importantly, they can kill almost all Raw 264.7 cells under MHT at magnetic field strengths above a threshold value. Given the key role of inflammation in all stages of atherosclerosis from onset to progression, PEI-MMNRs can be considered as promising anti-inflammatory platforms for MHT of this disease. The obtained results can pave the way forward in the thermal treatment of other inflammation-originated diseases and advance the established MHT of cancer.