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PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the effect of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3@DMSA) bearing the 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) ligand on targeting tumors with high-glucose metabolism.Proceduresγ-Fe2O3@DMSA and 2-DG-conjugated γ-Fe2O3@DMSA (γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG) were prepared. The glucose consumption of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells and human mammary epithelial cells (HMEpiCs) was assessed. Cells were incubated with γ-Fe2O3@DMSA or γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG, and MDA-MB-231 cells which exhibited the highest glucose consumption were used in breast cancer xenografts. Tumor targeting was studied by magnetic resonance imaging and Prussian blue staining in vivo.ResultsGlucose consumption was highest in MDA-MB-231 and lowest in HMEpiCs. In vitro, there was significant uptake of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG by MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells within 2 h and this was inhibited by glucose. Uptake of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG was significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 compared with MCF-7 cells, and there was no obvious uptake of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA in either cell line. In vivo, γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG could be detected in the liver and in tumors post-injection, while γ-Fe2O3@DMSA was nearly undetectable in tumors.Conclusions2-DG-coated γ-Fe2O3@DMSA improved tumor targeting of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA which can be assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) has been shown to exert a protection on promoting the spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery, but it can’t remain with its biological activity and sustained release at the injury site for long-term application. Herein, fibrin scaffolds embedded with SHH-loaded chitosan (CS) microspheres (SHH/CS) were synthesized and applied to provide protection and regeneration for complete transected spinal cord in rats. Characteristics of fibrin scaffolds embedded with SHH/CS microspheres, histological studies, immunohistochemistry staining, Western Blotting and recovery of motor function were conducted after implantation, respectively. Result showed that SHH maintained its biological activity and continued to act at the injury site, and the fibrin scaffolds embedded with SHH/CS microspheres could protect neurons and reduce apoptosis in the in vivo study, it also promoted some nerve fibers cross the spinal cord injury area. Moreover, the scaffolds improved partial motor function of double-hindlimb on a macro level. Overall, the fibrin scaffolds embedded with SHH/CS microspheres showed more satisfactory effect on nerve regeneration, tissue cavities prevention and motor function improvement, compared to fibrin scaffolds with SHH directly encapsulated into or fibrin scaffolds alone.

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