Functions of corneal endothelial cells do not change after uptake of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

To avoid donor tissue shortages, ex vivo cultured human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic resource. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) cell labeling assists HCEC transplantation by attaching the posterior corneal stroma in ex vivo animal models. However, possible functional changes of the HCECs following SPION labeling remain to be determined. In this study, we used SPIONs to label cultured rabbit CECs (RCECs) in order to observe important cell functions and the levels of cell markers. The synthetic SPIONs exhibited superparamagnetism at room temperature, with saturation magnetization of 55.4 emu/g and negligible remanence or coercivity. The ζ-potential was -24.5 mV and the diameter was 101 ± 55 nm. Immunostaining demonstrated a normal density of zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), nestin and Ki-67 at cellular junctions or in nuclei from RCECs following SPION labeling at 16 µg/ml. MTT cytotoxicity assay, homotypic adhesion assay, quantitative flow cytometric Ki-67 analysis and RCEC pump function measurement demonstrated no significant differences between the cells with or without SPION labeling (P<0.05, for all assays). Results of this study demonstrated successful labeled cultured RCECs with synthetic SPIONs. Labeled cells possessed several important characteristics required to maintain the transparency and refractive parameters of the cornea, including hexagonal cell morphology, higher cell adhesion ability and proliferative potential, cell pump function and the positive expression of several cell markers.

Selective In Vitro Anticancer Effect of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded in Hyaluronan Polymeric Micelles

“…SPIONs are considered to be inert imaging agents without intended pharmacological functions and they are often classified as biocompatible, showing no severe toxicity in vivo. , While Sharifi et al have reported the ability of SPIONs to considerably change gene expression in human adipocytes switching on the obesity and type 2 diabetes associated risk genes, other works have shown no or minimal alteration of gene expression or cellular functions. , This suggests that biological effect of SPIONs is cell type specific, with cells more responsive to oxidative stress probably being more sensitive to SPIONs.…”

Magnetic field-guided cell delivery with nanoparticle-loaded human corneal endothelial cells

“…44, 45 These data are consistent with others’ findings, although other nanoparticles may have systemic toxicities. 41, 46 For example, silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, of 70 and 35 nm diameters, injected intravenously into pregnant mice were found to cross the placenta and cause pregnancy complications. 47 Functionalization of nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol chains has been found to minimize teratogenic effects below a certain threshold injection dose.…”

Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials and Ocular Toxicity: A Current Perspective

“…This is important as many therapeutic MENMs are functionalized with a drug of interest, and even if the functionalized MENMs demonstrate good biocompatibility [ 151 ] it is critical that the therapeutic arrives at the correct destination to reduce unwanted interactions. In a study utilizing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), no inhibition of rabbit endothelial cell function in vitro was observed [ 152 ]. Additionally, in a separate study, these particles were used to guide bovine corneal endothelial cells to an injured area via an external magnetic force without impacting cell viability or disturbing the cytoskeleton [ 153 ].…”