Synthesis and characterization of silica‐coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and interaction with pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the physico-chemical properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and their cytotoxicity profile in light of their potential biomedical application as nanocarriers for pancreatic cancer treatment. Two types of SPIONs were tested: magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) and silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles (SiO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 NPs). The physico-chemical properties of the 2 SPIONs were characterized by means of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). Their magnetic properties were quantified as magnetization saturation (Ms) and Remanence. The colloidal stability was investigated by Isoelectric Point Measurements and sedimentation tests. Finally, in vitro characterizations were performed to quantify the half maximal lethal concentration (LC 50 ), by means of High Content Screening Analysis (HCSA), Flow cytometry (FC), and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). The obtained NPs present a spherical shape and a dimension between 10 and 20 nm, a superparamagnetic behavior and surface charge in agreement with their surface chemistry. The in vitro tests demonstrate that both NPs induce similar levels of cytotoxicity in a PANC-1 cell model and were internalized, with SiO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 NPs associated to a slightly higher cellular internalization, probably due to their higher dispersability.

Magneto‐plasmonic heterodimers: Evaluation of different synthesis approaches

“…Magnetite‐based NPs (MNPs) were produced by co‐precipitation process as described in our previous articles 22,24,25 . Briefly, appropriate amount of 0.01 M FeCl 2 *4H 2 O and 0.01 M FeCl 3 *6H 2 O were mechanically mixed in bi‐distilled in water to reach a stoichiometric ratio Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ of 1:2.…”

“…Magnetite-based NPs (MNPs) were produced by coprecipitation process as described in our previous articles. 22,24,25 Briefly, appropriate amount of 0.01 M FeCl 2 *4H 2 O and 0.01 M FeCl 3 *6H 2 O were mechanically mixed in bi-distilled in water to reach a stoichiometric ratio Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ of 1:2. To allow the formation of magnetic NPs, NaOH was added dropwise up to a pH = 10, and the solution was placed in an ultrasound bath for 20 min.…”

Impact of Mg‐Zr substitution on the magnetic and microwave absorption properties of BaFe12‐2xMgxZrxO19 (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1.5)

“…Magnetic nanomaterials have attracted lots of attention during the recent past thanks to their wide range of application in various industries and biomedical premises 1‐6 . As an illustration, magnetic materials have been utilized in the batteries, electrical display, molecular electrical parts, nonlinear optical materials, sensors, electromagnetic shielding materials, and microwave absorption agent, etc M‐type hexaferrites (AFe 12 O 19 ) are a group of complex oxide materials, where A is most often Ba or Sr The structure of M hexaferrites (BaFe 12 O 19 ) consists of R and S blocks.…”

Hyaluronic acid-mediated multifunctional iron oxide-based MRI nanoprobes for dynamic monitoring of pancreatic cancer

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered an effective method for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer because of its high resolution and noninvasive imaging mode. 2 In one examination, with the use of safer intravenous contrast agents, MRI can perform noninvasive assessments of the pancreatic parenchyma, vascular network, and neighboring so tissues. MR contrast agents are divided into two major categories: T 1 and T 2 MR contrast agents based on gadolinium and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs).…”