Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles by Folate as Potential MRI Contrast Agent for Breast Cancer Diagnostics

Molecules

Milad Ashrafizadeh¹  Atefeh Zarepour²  Ali Zarrabi²  Hamid Heydari Sheikh Hossein²  Iraj Jabbari³  Afrooz Taherian³  Pooyan Makvandi⁴ 

[1] Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 51666-16471, Iran;Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran;Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Physics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran;Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Micro-BioRobotics, viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Pisa, Italy;

关键词: Keywords: contrast agents;    MRI;    polyglycerol;    silica nanoparticles;    SPION;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules25184053

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In recent years, the intrinsic magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have made them one of the most promising candidates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aims to evaluate the effect of different coating agents (with and without targeting agents) on the magnetic property of MNPs. In detail, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were prepared by the polyol method. The nanoparticles were then divided into two groups, one of which was coated with silica (SiO₂) and hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) (SPION@SiO₂@HPG); the other was covered by HPG alone (SPION@HPG). In the following section, folic acid (FA), as a targeting agent, was attached on the surface of nanoparticles. Physicochemical properties of nanostructures were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM results showed that SPION@HPG was monodispersed with the average size of about 20 nm, while SPION@SiO₂@HPG had a size of about 25 nm. Moreover, HPG coated nanoparticles had much lower magnetic saturation than the silica coated ones. The MR signal intensity of the nanostructures showed a relation between increasing the nanoparticle concentrations inside the MCF-7 cells and decreasing the signal related to the T₂ relaxation time. The comparison of coating showed that SPION@SiO₂@HPG (with/without a targeting agent) had significantly higher value in comparison to Fe₃O₄@HPG. Based on the results of this study, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@HPG-FA nanoparticles have shown the best magnetic properties, and can be considered promising contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging applications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown