Magnetic Silica Nanoparticle Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity Regulated by Electrostatic Polyelectrolytes–DNA Loading at Their Surface

Abstract

Magnetic silica nanoparticles show great promise for drug delivery. The major advantages correspond to their magnetic nature and ease of biofunctionalization, which favors their ability to interact with cells and tissues. We have prepared magnetic silica nanoparticles with DNA fragments attached on their previously polyelectrolyte-primed surface. The remarkable feature of these materials is the compromise between the positive charges of the polyelectrolytes and the negative charges of the DNA. This dual-agent formulation dramatically changes the overall cytotoxicity and chemical degradation of the nanoparticles, revealing the key role that surface functionalization plays in regulating the mechanisms involved.

Toxicity Assessment of Silica Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Biocompatibility Improvement by Surface Engineering

“…Systematic studies on their cytotoxic effects are rare, and often affected by insufficient characterization and short-term evaluation of their cellular impact. Several approaches focused on the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles with different materials to improve their biocompatibility, namely: dextran [14], [15], silica [16], [17]_ENREF_14, chitosan [18], and polyethylene glycol [19]. However to date the role of surface coating is not yet clear.…”

Silica‐Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles Carrying a High‐Density Polymer Brush Shell of Hydrophilic Polymer

“…For our study, oleylamine‐capped MNPs (7.9 ± 1.9 nm) from a thermal decomposition method were chosen as typical super‐paramagnetic cores. We exploited the reverse microemulsion method to obtain first the silica‐coated MNPs. This method enables a precise one‐to‐one encapsulation of MNPs with silica and a fine control of the shell thickness on the nanoscale (13.9 ± 2.1 nm).…”

“…Surface modifications of nanoparticles are inevitably important to control and optimize these factors. Silica coating of MNPs provides a chemically stable and biocompatible approach. Beyond its encapsulative protection, the silica shell gives a convenient access for chemical and biological functionalization for various clinical applications .…”

Cytotoxic Effects of Co1–xMnxFe2O4 Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized under Non‐Hydrolytic Conditions (Bradley's Reaction) – In Vitro

“…Nowadays the scientific literature devoted to the problem of the cytotoxic effects of ferrite nanoparticles is very rich;, however, the cytotoxic effects of transition‐metal‐substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles has only been studied on osteoblast‐like cells (SaOs2, osteogenic sarcoma) by Sanpo et al Of the many divalently substituted nanomaterials, only the Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 composition was tested, which showed a strong concentration‐dependent effect on SaOs2.…”