Cellular and Molecular Toxicity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have attracted much attention because of their particular physico-chemical properties, including superparamagnetism. These features make them suitable for many purposes and several interesting biomedical applications, such as to increase contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as drug delivery systems and as hyperthermia agents. However, they have also shown to be easily accumulated in diverse tissues and induce toxicity at different levels. This chapter reviews the different cellular and molecular effects induced by ION reported from in vitro studies with human and non-human cell lines. Those effects are mainly dependent on ION type and concentration, time of exposure, presence and nature of coating, and cell type evaluated. They include decreases in viability, plasmatic membrane disruption, oxidative damage, mitochondrial alterations, cell cycle impairments, cytoskeleton disruption, cell death, and alterations in cell motility, and in cell integrity. Despite these negative effects, the numerous advantages of ION together with their promising applications in biomedicine, make it necessary to clearly define their toxicity in order to discard potential health risks and to reach optimal benefits of their use.

Application of Gray Level co-Occurrence Matrix Algorithm for Detection of Discrete Structural Changes in Cell Nuclei After Exposure to Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and 6-Hydroxydopamine

“…There are some indications that IONPs may exhibit some cytotoxicity, either by generation of ROS or through other pathophysiological mechanisms. Apoptosis, autophagy, decreases in cellular viability, detrimental effects on plasmatic membrane have all been reported after exposure to IONPs (Laffon, et al, 2018). It is possible that IONPs may also cause alterations in cell cycles and changes in the functioning of mitochondria.…”

Quantitative Analysis of the Specific Absorption Rate Dependence on the Magnetic Field Strength in ZnxFe3−xO4 Nanoparticles

“…Based on their additional properties, as biocompatibility and low toxicity profile and superior biodegradability [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], the US Food and Drug Administration has made from the SP iron oxide nanoparticles (often called SPIONs)—magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and maghemite (Fe 2 O 3 )—the only class of MNPs approved for clinical use [ 19 ] Several formulation based on SPIONs are already commercially available on the market, either as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications (Lumiren ® for bowel imaging, Feridex IV ® and Resovist ® for liver and spleen imaging, Combidex ® for lymph node metastases imaging, and Ferumoxytol ® for iron replacement therapy [ 9 ]) or as heating agents in magnetic hyperthermia (MH) applications (Nanotherm ® ) [ 20 ].…”

Hyperthermia, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Uptake Properties of Manganese and Zinc Ferrite Magnetic Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Polyol-Mediated Process

“…Biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles include targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia (MH), contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biological separation, neural stimulation, biosensing, and gene transcription [2]. On the basis of the fact that iron oxide MNPs, mainly magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) and maghemite (γ-F 2 O 3 ), possess high biocompatibility [3] since they are the only class of MNPs approved for clinical use by the US Food and Drug Administration [4], a huge interest has been devoted to improving methods for obtaining iron oxide MNPs with controlled sizes, size distributions, shapes, coating functionalizations, and magnetic properties. Commercial MNPs are available as contrast agents (e.g., Feridex, Resovist) and magnetic hyperthermia heating mediators (e.g., Nanotherm™).…”