Magnetic Glyco-Nanoparticles: A Tool To Detect, Differentiate, and Unlock the Glyco-Codes of Cancer via Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Within cancer, there is a large wealth of diversity, complexity, and information that nature has engineered rendering it challenging to identify reliable detection methods. Therefore, the development of simple and effective techniques to delineate the fine characteristics of cancer cells can have great potential impacts on cancer diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we report a magnetic glyco-nanoparticle (MGNP) based nanosensor system bearing carbohydrates as the ligands, not only to detect and differentiate cancer cells but also to quantitatively profile their carbohydrate binding abilities by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using an array of MGNPs, a range of cells including closely related isogenic tumor cells, cells with different metastatic potential and malignant vs normal cells can be readily distinguished based on their respective "MRI signatures". Furthermore, the information obtained from such studies helped guide the establishment of strongly binding MGNPs as antiadhesive agents against tumors. As the interactions between glyco-conjugates and endogenous lectins present on cancer cell surface are crucial for cancer development and metastasis, the ability to characterize and unlock the glyco-code of individual cell lines can facilitate both the understanding of the roles of carbohydrates as well as the expansion of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for cancer.

Imaging Early Endothelial Inflammation Following Stroke by Core Shell Silica Superparamagnetic Glyconanoparticles That Target Selectin

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19] We designed silica coated iron oxide core shell MNPs, which exhibit superparamagnetism and strong saturation magnetism, and also lend themselves to carbohydrate functionalization. 4,15 The silica outer shell provides excellent stability and protection of the magnetic core, thus avoiding oxidative stress to cells.…”

Recent advances in biosensing using magnetic glyconanoparticles

“…GlycoMNPs bearing glucose (2b) and sialic acid (2c) were synthesized following the same strategy and were used as negative controls to demonstrate that the cell internalization was governed by the specific recognition of galactose moieties by lectin. Huang and co-workers [40,41] reported the synthesis of glyconanoconjugates obtained by immobilization of carboxylic acid derivatives of different monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, mannose and sialic acid) on amine-functionalized MNPs. In this approach, amine groups were introduced onto the surface of magnetite nanoparticles by silanization with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.…”

“…A great example of the application of MRS with glycoMNPs was reported by El-Boubbou et al [40]. Five kinds of carbohydrates (mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, fucose and sialic acid) were functionalized on 6-nm MNPs and used to detect and profile cancer cells.…”

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Promises for Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

“…The developed glycol nanoparticles conjugated with sLe(x) have great potential for early detection of several catastrophic diseases such as MS, HIV, and Parkinson's (171)(172)(173)(174)(175)(176)(177).…”