title: Cytotoxicity suppression and cellular uptake enhancement of surface modified magnetic nanoparticles.
abstract: The aim of this study was to modify the surfaces of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) with pullulan in order to reduce the cytotoxicity and enhance the cellular uptake of the nanoparticles. In this study, we have prepared and characterised the pullulan coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Pn-SPION) of size around 40-45 nm with magnetite inner core and hydrophilic outer shell of pullulan. We have investigated the effect of cellular uptake of uncoated and Pn-SPION on cell adhesion/viability, cytotoxicity, morphology and cytoskeleton organisation of human fibroblasts. Cell cytotoxicity/adhesion studies of SPIONs on human dermal fibroblasts showed that the particles are toxic and their internalisation resulted in disruption of cytoskeleton organisation of cells. On the other hand, Pn-SPIONs were found to be non-toxic and induced changes in cytoskeleton organisation different from that observed with SPION. Transmission electron microscopy results indicated that the SPION and Pn-SPION were internalised into cells via different mechanisms, thereby suggesting that the particle endocytosis behaviour is dependent on the surface characteristics of the nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cell Engineering, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK. agupta@crusadelabs.co.uk
authors.forename: Ajay Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008422:Materials Testing; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004343:Drug Implants; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005936:Glucans; C000499:ferric oxide; C009109:pullulan