We synthesized uniform ferrimagnetic magnetite nanocubes in the size range from 20 to 160 nm. The magnetic property of the nanocubes was characterized, and magnetic separation of the histidine-tagged protein was demonstrated.

Mesoporous silica-coated hollow manganese oxide (HMnO@mSiO2) nanoparticles were developed as a novel T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. We hypothesized that the mesoporous structure of the nanoparticle shell enables optimal access of water molecules to the magnetic core, and consequently, an effective longitudinal (R1) relaxation enhancement of water protons, which value was measured to be 0.99 (mM−1s−1) at 11.7 T. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were efficiently labeled using electroporation, with much shorter T1 values as compared to direct incubation without electroporation, which was also evidenced by signal enhancement on T1-weighted MR images in vitro. Intracranial grafting of HMnO@mSiO2-labeled MSCs enabled serial MR monitoring of cell transplants over 14 days. These novel nanoparticles may extend the arsenal of currently available nanoparticle MR contrast agents by providing positive contrast on T1-weighted images at high magnetic field strengths.

Contrasting images: A new T1 contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on MnO nanoparticles reveals a bright signal enhancement and fine anatomic structures in the T1‐weighted MR image of a mouse brain (see picture; left MRI, right MnO‐enhanced MRI (MONEMRI)). Furthermore, MnO nanoparticles conjugated with a tumor‐specific antibody were used for selectively imaging breast cancer cells in a metastatic tumor in brain.

The theoretically predicted maximum r(2) relaxivity of iron oxide nanoparticles was achieved by optimizing the overall size of ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanocubes. Uniform-sized iron oxide nanocubes with an edge length of 22 nm, encapsulated with PEG-phospholipids (WFION), exhibited high colloidal stability in aqueous media. In addition, WFIONs are biocompatible and did not affect cell viability at concentrations up to 0.75 mg Fe/ml. Owing to the enhanced colloidal stability and the high r(2) relaxivity (761 mM(-1) s(-1)), it was possible to successfully perform in vivo MR imaging of tumors by intravenous injection of 22-nm-sized WFIONs, using a clinical 3-T MR scanner.

Magnetic nanoparticles have gained significant attention as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Herein, we developed chitosan oligosaccharide-stabilized ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanocubes (Chito-FIONs) as an effective heat nanomediator for cancer hyperthermia. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopic analyses revealed that Chito-FIONs were composed of multiple 30-nm-sized FIONs encapsulated by a chitosan polymer shell. Multiple FIONs in an interior increased the total magnetic moments, which leads to localized accumulation under an applied magnetic field. Chito-FIONs also exhibited superior magnetic heating ability with a high specific loss power value (2614 W/g) compared with commercial superparamagnetic Feridex nanoparticles (83 W/g). The magnetically guided Chito-FIONs successfully eradicated target cancer cells through caspase-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, Chito-FIONs showed excellent antitumor efficacy on an animal tumor model without any severe toxicity.