Highly Efficient Labeling of Human Lung Cancer Cells Using Cationic Poly-l-lysine-Assisted Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Cell labeling with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) is increasingly a routine approach in the cell-based cancer treatment. However, cell labeling with magnetic IONPs and their leading effects on the biological properties of human lung carcinoma cells remain scarcely reported. Therefore, in the present study the magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (MNPs) were firstly synthesized and surface-modified with cationic poly-l-lysine (PLL) to construct the PLL-MNPs, which were then used to magnetically label human A549 lung cancer cells. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated with propidium iodide/fluorescein diacetate double staining and standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-diphenyl-tetrazolium) bromide assay, and the cytoskeleton was immunocytochemically stained. The cell cycle of the PLL-MNP-labeled A549 lung cancer cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells were fluorescently analyzed with nuclear-specific staining after the PLL-MNP labeling. The results showed that the constructed PLL-MNPs efficiently magnetically labeled A549 lung cancer cells and that, at low concentrations, labeling did not affect cellular viability, proliferation capability, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the cytoskeleton in the treated cells was detected intact in comparison with the untreated counterparts. However, the results also showed that at high concentration (400 µg mL−1), the PLL-MNPs would slightly impair cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis and disrupt the cytoskeleton in the treated A549 lung cancer cells. Therefore, the present results indicated that the PLL-MNPs at adequate concentrations can be efficiently used for labeling A549 lung cancer cells and could be considered as a feasible approach for magnetic targeted anti-cancer drug/gene delivery, targeted diagnosis, and therapy in lung cancer treatment.

In Vitro Evaluation of Hyperthermia Magnetic Technique Indicating the Best Strategy for Internalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles Applied in Glioblastoma Tumor Cells

“…The transfection agent PLL increased the SPION Amine (100 nm) internalization by cells as shown in Figure 4 . This strategy was also evidenced in other studies [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The use of transfection agent as PLL, that is a linear polymer of lysine that bears a positive charge at neutral pH, benefits the electrostatic interaction between nanoparticles and cells [ 60 ], as PLL increases the SPION Amine positive charge (increasing the zeta potential) leading to enhanced attraction with C6 cell membrane which is negatively charged.…”

Interaction of poly-L-lysine coating and heparan sulfate proteoglycan on magnetic nanoparticle uptake by tumor cells

“…7 Various chemicals have been used to enhance cellular uptake of NPs, including poly-l-lysine (PLL), which is also applied to gene delivery [8][9][10] and cell labeling. [11][12][13][14] The addition of PLL to cultures enhances NP internalization by stem cells 15,16 and tumor cells. 16,17 PLL coating of NPs undergoes similar uptake enhancement in a variety of cells.…”

“…16,17 PLL coating of NPs undergoes similar uptake enhancement in a variety of cells. 13,[18][19][20][21] Although electrostatic interaction has been proposed, [11][12][13]15,17 the mechanism of PLL-induced internalization of NPs has not been elucidated.…”

“…Our results indicated that both free and immobilized PLL greatly enhanced MNP uptake by glioma cells, which is consistent with previous findings that PLL enhanced NP internalization by stem cells 13,[15][16][17]19 and other cells. 11,14,[16][17][18]21 TEM results demonstrated microvilli formation associated with MNP internalization, suggesting that endocytosis may involve macropinocytosis, 20 which is usually the internalization pathway of particles .200 nm. 46 In our study, the number of internalized PLL-MNPs was much lower than Dex-MNPs with PLL in the culture medium, which was probably due to the smaller quantity of immobilized PLL.…”

Insights into Theranostic Properties of Titanium Dioxide for Nanomedicine

“…and can easily indicate a possible abnormality in the body. Both passive and active detection strategies must offer the ability to perform rapid in situ monitoring for health maintenance [ 195 , 196 ]. Label-free TiO 2 biosensors have been employed for the rapid detection of biological interactions converted to optical, electrical, and thermal signals.…”