title: Robust uptake of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by central nervous system (CNS) microglia: implications for particle uptake in mixed neural cell populations.
abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are important contrast agents used to monitor a range of neuropathological processes; microglial cells significantly contribute to MNP uptake in sites of pathology. Microglial activation occurs following most CNS pathologies but it is not known if such activation alters MNP uptake, intracellular processing and toxicity. We assessed these parameters in microglial cultures with and without experimental 'activation'. Microglia showed rapid and extensive MNP uptake under basal conditions with no changes found following activation; significant microglial toxicity was observed at higher particle concentrations. Based on our findings, we suggest that avid MNP uptake by endogenous CNS microglia could significantly limit uptake by other cellular subtypes in mixed neural cell populations.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Neural Engineering Group, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pickard
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Neural Engineering Group, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
authors.forename: Divya M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles