Hybrid Polymer Vesicles: Controllable Preparation and Potential Applications

Hybrid polymer vesicles contain functional nanoparticles (NPs) in their walls, interfaces, coronae, or cavities. NPs render the hybrid vesicles with specific physical properties, while polymers endow them with structural stability and may significantly reduce the high toxicity of NPs. Therefore, hybrid vesicles integrate fascinating multifunctions from both NPs and polymeric vesicles, which have gained tremendous attention because of their diverse promising applications. Various types of delicate hybrid polymeric vesicles with size control and tunable localization of NPs in different parts of vesicles have been constructed via in situ and ex situ strategies, respectively. Their potential applications have been widely explored, as well. This review presents the progress of block copolymer (BCP) vesicle systems containing different types of NPs including metal NPs, magnetic NPs, and semiconducting quantum dots (QDs), etc. The strategies for controlling the location of NPs within hybrid vesicles are discussed. Typical potential applications of the elegant hybrid vesicles are also highlighted.

The effect of size, shape, coating and functionalization on nuclear relaxation properties in iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles: a brief review of the situation

In this perspective article, we present a short selection of some of the most significant case studies on magnetic nanoparticles for potential applications in nanomedicine, mainly magnetic resonance. For almost 10 years, our research activity focused on the comprehension of the physical mechanisms on the basis of the nuclear relaxation of magnetic nanoparticles in the presence of magnetic fields; taking advantage of the insights gathered over this time span, we report on the dependence of the relaxation behaviour on the chemico-physical properties of magnetic nanoparticles and discuss them in full detail. In particular, a critical review is carried out on the correlations between their efficiency as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and the magnetic core of magnetic nanoparticles (mainly iron oxides), their size and shape, and the coating and solvent used for making them biocompatible and well dispersible in physiological media. Finally, the heuristic model proposed by Roch and coworkers is presented, as it was extensively adopted to describe most of the experimental data sets. The large amount of data analyzed allowed us to highlight both the advantages and limitations of the model.

Fluorine-mediated synthesis of anisotropic iron oxide nanostructures for efficient T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

Herein, we developed a novel strategy for the shape-controlled synthesis of iron oxide nanostructures with superior r2 values through the introduction of fluoride ions as a morphology controlling agent and dopant. The selective adsorption of fluoride ions onto the specified crystal planes of iron oxide nanocrystals leads to the formation of octapod nanoparticles (ONPs) and cubic nanocrystal clusters (CNCs). Both ONPs and CNCs present high r2 values (526.5 and 462.2 mM-1 s-1, respectively) due to the synergistic effect of a larger effective radius, clustering and fluorine doping. The in vivo MRI results show significant enhancement in T2-weighted images of the liver after the intravenous injection of ONPs and CNCs, suggesting their great potential as efficient T2-weighted MRI contrast agents. This new approach of achieving anisotropic fluorine-doped iron oxide nanostructures with high r2 relaxivity provides an alternative strategy for the development of highly sensitive T2 contrast agents for MRI.

The Interplay between Fe3O4 Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles, Sodium Butyrate, and Folic Acid for Intracellular Transport

Combined treatments which use nanoparticles and drugs could be a synergistic strategy for the treatment of a variety of cancers to overcome drug resistance, low efficacy, and high-dose-induced systemic toxicity. In this study, the effects on human colon adenocarcinoma cells of surface modified Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in combination with sodium butyrate (NaBu), added as a free formulation, were examined demonstrating that the co-delivery produced a cytotoxic effect on malignant cells. Two different MNP coatings were investigated: a simple polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer and a mixed folic acid (FA) and PEG layer. Our results demonstrated that MNPs with FA (FA-PEG@MNPs) have a better cellular uptake than the ones without FA (PEG@MNPs), probably due to the presence of folate that acts as an activator of folate receptors (FRs) expression. However, in the presence of NaBu, the difference between the two types of MNPs was reduced. These similar behaviors for both MNPs likely occurred because of the differentiation induced by butyrate that increases the uptake of ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Moreover, we observed a strong decrease of cell viability in a NaBu dose-dependent manner. Taking into account these results, the cooperation of multifunctional MNPs with NaBu, taking into consideration the particular cancer-cell properties, can be a valuable tool for future cancer treatment.

Covalent Organic Framework Embedded with Magnetic Nanoparticles for MRI and Chemo-Thermotherapy

Nanoscale imine-linked covalent organic frameworks (nCOFs) were first loaded with the anticancer drug Doxorubicin (Dox), coated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs), and stabilized with a shell of poly(l-lysine) cationic polymer (PLL) for simultaneous synergistic thermo-chemotherapy treatment and MRI imaging. The pH responsivity of the resulting nanoagents (γ-SD/PLL) allowed the release of the drug selectively within the acidic microenvironment of late endosomes and lysosomes of cancer cells (pH 5.4) and not in physiological conditions (pH 7.4). γ-SD/PLL could efficiently generate high heat (48 °C) upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field due to the nCOF porous structure that facilitates the heat conduction, making γ-SD/PLL excellent heat mediators in an aqueous solution. The drug-loaded magnetic nCOF composites were cytotoxic due to the synergistic toxicity of Dox and the effects of hyperthermia in vitro on glioblastoma U251-MG cells and in vivo on zebrafish embryos, but they were not significantly toxic to noncancerous cells (HEK293). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of multimodal MRI probe and chemo-thermotherapeutic magnetic nCOF composites.

Embedding of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into membranes of well-defined poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoscale magnetovesicles as ultrasensitive MRI probes of membrane bio-degradation

The present study reports the preparation of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) polymer vesicles via a nanoprecipitation method and the loading of two different size hydrophobically coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles (a magnetic core size of 4.2 nm and 7.6 nm) into the membrane of these nanovesicles, whose thickness was measured precisely by small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Spherical nano-assemblies with a high USPIO payload and a diameter close to 150 nm were obtained as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo-TEM. The vesicular structure of these hybrid nano-assemblies was confirmed by multi-angle light scattering (MALS) measurements. Their magnetic properties were evaluated by T1 and T2 measurements (20 and 60 MHz) and by nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles. The size of USPIO entrapped in the membranes of PEO-b-PCL vesicles has a strong impact on their magnetic properties. It affects both their longitudinal and their transverse relaxivities and thus their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitivity. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the PCL membrane also influences their relaxivities as shown by measurements carried out at pH 7 vs. pH 5. This property was used to monitor the membrane hydrolytic degradation in vitro, as a proof of concept of potential monitoring of drug delivery by nanomedicines in vivo and non-invasively, by MRI.

Surface engineering of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles by polymer grafting: synthesis progress and biomedical applications

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have wide applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biomedicine, drug delivery, hyperthermia therapy, catalysis, magnetic separation, and others. However, these applications are usually limited by irreversible agglomeration of IONPs in aqueous media because of their dipole-dipole interactions, and their poor stability. A protecting polymeric shell provides IONPs with not only enhanced long-term stability, but also the functionality of polymer shells. Therefore, polymer-grafted IONPs have recently attracted much attention of scientists. In this tutorial review, we will present the current strategies for grafting polymers onto the surface of IONPs, basically including "grafting from" and "grafting to" methods. Available functional groups and chemical reactions, which could be employed to bind polymers onto the IONP surface, are comprehensively summarized. Moreover, the applications of polymer-grafted IONPs will be briefly discussed. Finally, future challenges and perspectives in the synthesis and application of polymer-grafted IONPs will also be discussed.

Self-accelerating H2O2-responsive Plasmonic Nanovesicles for Synergistic Chemo/starving therapy of Tumors

Rationale: Nanoscale vehicles responsive to abnormal variation in tumor environment are promising for use in targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs specifically to tumor sites. Herein, we report the design and fabrication of self-accelerating H₂O₂-responsive plasmonic gold nanovesicles (GVs) encapsulated with tirapazamine (TPZ) and glucose oxidase (GOx) for synergistic chemo/starving therapy of cancers. Methods: Gold nanoparticles were modified with H₂O₂-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer PEG₄₅-b-PABE₃₃₀ by ligand exchange. The TPZ and GOx loaded GVs (TG-GVs) were prepared through the self-assembly of PEG₄₅-b-PABE₃₃₀ -grafted nanoparticles together with TPZ and GOx by solvent displacement method. Results: In response to H₂O₂ in tumor, the TG-GVs dissociate to release the payloads that are, otherwise, retained inside the vesicles for days without noticeable leakage. The released GOx enzymes catalyze the oxidation of glucose by oxygen in the tumor tissue to enhance the degree of hypoxia that subsequently triggers the reduction of hypoxia-activated pro-drug TPZ into highly toxic free radicals. The H₂O₂ generated in the GOx-catalyzed reaction also accelerate the dissociation of vesicles and hence the release rate of the cargoes in tumors. The drug-loaded GVs exhibit superior tumor inhibition efficacy in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice owing to the synergistic effect of chemo/starvation therapy, in addition to their use as contrast agents for computed tomography imaging of tumors. Conclusion: This nanoplatform may find application in managing tumors deeply trapped in viscera or other important tissues that are not compatible with external stimulus (e.g. light).

Polyol-Made Luminescent and Superparamagnetic β-NaY0.8Eu0.2F4@γ-Fe2O3 Core-Satellites Nanoparticles for Dual Magnetic Resonance and Optical Imaging

Red luminescent and superparamagnetic β-NaY0.8Eu0.2F4@γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, made of a 70 nm-sized β-NaY0.8Eu0.2F4 single crystal core decorated by a 10 nm-thick polycrystalline and discontinuous γ-Fe2O3 shell, have been synthesized by the polyol process. Functionalized with citrate ligands they show a good colloidal stability in water making them valuable for dual magnetic resonance and optical imaging or image-guided therapy. They exhibit a relatively high transverse relaxivity r2 = 42.3 mM-1·s-1 in water at 37 °C, for an applied static magnetic field of 1.41 T, close to the field of 1.5 T applied in clinics, as they exhibit a red emission by two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy. Finally, when brought into contact with healthy human foreskin fibroblast cells (BJH), for doses as high as 50 µg·mL-1 and incubation time as long as 72 h, they do not show evidence of any accurate cytotoxicity, highlighting their biomedical applicative potential.

Luminophore and Magnetic Multicore Nanoassemblies for Dual-Mode MRI and Fluorescence Imaging

Nanoassemblies encompass a large variety of systems (organic, crystalline, amorphous and porous). The nanometric size enables these systems to interact with biological entities and cellular organelles of similar dimensions (proteins, cells, …). Over the past 20 years, the exploitation of their singular properties as contrast agents has led to the improvement of medical imaging. The use of nanoprobes also allows the combination of several active units within the same nanostructure, paving the way to multi-imaging. Thus, the nano-object provides various additional information which helps simplify the number of clinical procedures required. In this review, we are interested in the combination between fluorescent units and magnetic nanoparticles to perform dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescent imaging. The effect of magnetic interaction in multicore iron oxide nanoparticles on the MRI contrast agent properties is highlighted.

Vesicle-like assemblies of ligand-stabilized nanoparticles with controllable membrane composition and properties

Here, we report that nanoparticles modified with simple end-functionalized alkyl thiol ligands show interesting directional self-assembly behavior and can act as an effective surfactant to encapsulate other functional molecules and nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles modified with the mixture of alkyl thiols and hydroxyl-terminated alkyl thiols organize into unique vesicle-like structures with controllable membrane thicknesses. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the ligand segregation and the edge-to-edge ligand binding are responsible for the two-dimensional assembly formation. Furthermore, the nanoparticle assemblies can encapsulate other functional nanoparticles into the membrane or inside the cavity, generating multicomponent inorganic vesicles with various morphologies. The light-induced release profiles of encapsulated dye molecules showed that the membrane properties can be controlled by varying the membrane thickness and ligand composition.

Magnetic Polyion Complex Micelles for Cell Toxicity Induced by Radiofrequency Magnetic Field Hyperthermia

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) were prepared using a polystyrene-graft-poly(2-vinylpyridine) copolymer (denoted G0PS-g-P2VP or G1) as template. These MNPs were subjected to self-assembly with a poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) double-hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC), PAA-b-PHEA, to form water-dispersible magnetic polyion complex (MPIC) micelles. Large Fe₃O₄ crystallites were visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and magnetic suspensions of MPIC micelles exhibited improved colloidal stability in aqueous environments over a wide pH and ionic strength range. Biological cells incubated for 48 h with MPIC micelles at the highest concentration (1250 µg of Fe₃O₄ per mL) had a cell viability of 91%, as compared with 51% when incubated with bare (unprotected) MNPs. Cell internalization, visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and TEM, exhibited strong dependence on the MPIC micelle concentration and incubation time, as also evidenced by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The usefulness of MPIC micelles for cellular radiofrequency magnetic field hyperthermia (MFH) was also confirmed, as the MPIC micelles showed a dual dose-dependent effect (concentration and duration of magnetic field exposure) on the viability of L929 mouse fibroblasts and U87 human glioblastoma epithelial cells.

Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Modelling of a Magnetic Polymersome

A coarse-grained molecular dynamics framework is proposed to investigate the equilibrium structure and quasi-static deformational response of a magnetic polymersome, a hollow object whose magnetoactive part is its shell (membrane). In the developed scheme, the shell is modelled as a pair of two concentric interfaces, between which a layer of a linearly viscous fluid filled with magnetic nanoparticles is confined; the thickness of this layer slightly exceeds the nanoparticle diameter. The shell boundaries possess weak bending elasticity, very high surface tension and are impermeable for the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles bear permanent magnetic moments and are translationally and rotationally free inside the layer. The factors favoring the particle aggregation are the magneto-dipole coupling and Zeeman interaction with the external field; the impeding factors are thermal motion and steric restrictions imposed by the boundaries. The volume content of magnetic phase in the shell is sufficiently small (below 11 vol.%) to enable one to clearly observe structure patterns occurring in the basic state and under an applied magnetic field. As shown, both the particle concentration and the level of interparticle interaction strongly affect the extent and type of the aggregation that, in turn, causes overall deformation of the polymersome: stretching along the applied field and shrinking in the transverse plane.

Cooperative Assembly of Magneto-Nanovesicles with Tunable Wall Thickness and Permeability for MRI-Guided Drug Delivery

This article describes the fabrication of nanosized magneto-vesicles (MVs) comprising tunable layers of densely packed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) in membranes via cooperative assembly of polymer-tethered SPIONs and free poly(styrene)- b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS- b-PAA). The membrane thickness of MVs could be well controlled from 9.8 to 93.2 nm by varying the weight ratio of PS- b-PAA to SPIONs. The increase in membrane thickness was accompanied by the transition from monolayer MVs, to double-layered MVs and to multilayered MVs (MuMVs). This can be attributed to the variation in the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of polymer-grafted SPIONs upon the insertion and binding of PS- b-PAA onto the surface of nanoparticles. Therapeutic agents can be efficiently encapsulated in the hollow cavity of MVs and the release of payload can be tuned by varying the membrane thickness of nanovesicles. Due to the high packing density of SPIONs, the MuMVs showed the highest magnetization and transverse relaxivity rate ( r₂) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among these MVs and individual SPIONs. Upon intravenous injection, doxorubicin-loaded MuMVs conjugated with RGD peptides could be effectively enriched at tumor sites due to synergetic effect of magnetic and active targeting. As a result, they exhibited drastically enhanced signal in MRI, improved tumor delivery efficiency of drugs as well as enhanced antitumor efficacy, compared with groups with only magnetic or active targeting strategy. The unique nanoplatform may find applications in effective disease control by delivering imaging and therapy to organs/tissues that are not readily accessible by conventional delivery vehicles.

Comparison Between Folic Acid and gH625 Peptide-Based Functionalization of Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Cell Internalization

A versatile synthetic route based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle (MNP) prefunctionalization with a phosphonic acid monolayer has been used to covalently bind the gH625 peptide on the nanoparticle surface. gH625 is a membranotropic peptide capable of easily crossing the membranes of various cells including the typical human blood-brain barrier components. A similar synthetic route was used to prepare another class of MNPs having a functional coating based on PEG, rhodamine, and folic acid, a well-known target molecule, to compare the performance of the two cell-penetrating systems (i.e., gH625 and folic acid). Our results demonstrate that the uptake of gH625-decorated MNPs in immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells after 24 h is more evident compared to folic acid-functionalized MNPs as evidenced by confocal laser scanning microscopy. On the other hand, both functionalized systems proved capable of being internalized in a brain tumor cell line (i.e., glioblastoma A-172). These findings indicate that the functionalization of MNPs with gH625 improves their endothelial cell internalization, suggesting a viable strategy in designing functional nanostructures capable of first crossing the BBB and, then, of reaching specific tumor brain cells.

Molecular mechanisms for delicately tuning the morphology and properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters

After being oxidized, dihydric alcohols drive the formation of monodisperse Fe₃O₄ particle clusters.

Acetate-Induced Disassembly of Spherical Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Clusters into Monodispersed Core-Shell Structures upon Nanoemulsion Fusion

It has been long known that the physical encapsulation of oleic acid-capped iron oxide nanoparticles (OA-IONPs) with the cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA+) surfactant induces the formation of spherical iron oxide nanoparticle clusters (IONPCs). However, the behavior and functional properties of IONPCs in chemical reactions have been largely neglected and are still not well-understood. Herein, we report an unconventional ligand-exchange function of IONPCs activated when dispersed in an ethyl acetate/acetate buffer system. The ligand exchange can successfully transform hydrophobic OA-IONP building blocks of IONPCs into highly hydrophilic, acetate-capped iron oxide nanoparticles (Ac-IONPs). More importantly, we demonstrate that the addition of silica precursors (tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to the acetate/oleate ligand-exchange reaction of the IONPs induces the disassembly of the IONPCs into monodispersed iron oxide-acetate-silica core-shell-shell (IONPs@acetate@SiO2) nanoparticles. Our observations evidence that the formation of IONPs@acetate@SiO2 nanoparticles is initiated by a unique micellar fusion mechanism between the Pickering-type emulsions of IONPCs and nanoemulsions of silica precursors formed under ethyl acetate buffered conditions. A dynamic rearrangement of the CTA+-oleate bilayer on the IONPC surfaces is proposed to be responsible for the templating process of the silica shells around the individual IONPs. In comparison to previously reported methods in the literature, our work provides a much more detailed experimental evidence of the silica-coating mechanism in a nanoemulsion system. Overall, ethyl acetate is proven to be a very efficient agent for an effortless preparation of monodispersed IONPs@acetate@SiO2 and hydrophilic Ac-IONPs from IONPCs.

Hydrodenticity to enhance relaxivity of gadolinium-DTPA within crosslinked hyaluronic acid nanoparticles

AIM

The efficacy of gadolinium (Gd) chelates as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging remains limited owing to poor relaxivity and toxic effects. Here, the effect of the hydration of the hydrogel structure on the relaxometric properties of Gd-DTPA is explained for the first time and called Hydrodenticity.

RESULTS

The ability to tune the hydrogel structure is proved through a microfluidic flow-focusing approach able to produce crosslinked hyaluronic acid nanoparticles, analyzed regarding the crosslink density and mesh size, and connected to the characteristic correlation times of the Gd-DTPA.

CONCLUSION

Hydrodenticity explains the boosting (12-times) of the Gd-DTPA relaxivity by tuning hydrogel structural parameters, potentially enabling the reduction of the administration dosage as approved for clinical use. [Formula: see text].

Exerting Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect Driven Delivery by Ultrafine Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with T1-T2 Switchable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast

Poor delivery efficiency remains a major challenge in nanomaterial-based tumor-targeted imaging and drug delivery. This work demonstrates a strategy to improve nanoparticle delivery and intratumoral distribution using sub-5 nm (3.5 nm core size) ultrafine iron oxide nanoparticles (uIONP) that can easily extravasate from the tumor vasculature and readily diffuse into the tumor tissue compared to the iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) with larger sizes, followed by self-assembling in the acidic tumor interstitial space to limit their re-entering into circulation. By combining enhanced extravasation and reduced intravasation, we achieved improved delivery and tumor retention of nanoparticles. Multiphoton imaging of mice bearing orthotopic tumors co-injected with fluorescent dye-labeled nanoparticles with different sizes showed that uIONPs exhibited more efficient extravasation out of tumor vessels and penetrated deeper into the tumor than larger sized IONP counterparts. Moreover, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging revealed that uIONPs exhibited "bright" T1 contrast when dispersed in the tumor vasculature and peripheral area at 1 h after intravenous administration, followed by emerging "dark" T2 contrast in the tumor after 24 h. Observed T1-T2 contrast switch indicated that uIONPs single-dispersed in blood with T1 contrast may self-assemble into larger clusters with T2 contrast after entering the tumor interstitial space. Improved passive targeting and intratumoral delivery along with increased tumor retention of uIONPs are due to both easy extravasation into the tumor when single-dispersed and restricting intravasation back into circulation after forming clusters, thus exerting the enhanced permeability and retention effect for nanoparticle delivery to tumors.

Magnetic resonance relaxation induced by superparamagnetic particles used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging: a theoretical review

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and allow, for example, the detection of tumors or the tracking of stem cells in vivo. By producing magnetic inhomogeneities, they influence the nuclear magnetic relaxation times, which results in a darkening, on the image, of the region containing these particles. A great number of studies have been devoted to their magnetic properties, to their synthesis and to their influence on nuclear magnetic relaxation. The theoretical and fundamental understanding of the behavior of these particles is a necessary step in predicting their efficiency as contrast agents, or to be able to experimentally obtain some of their properties from a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Many relaxation models have been published, and choosing one of them is not always easy, many parameters and conditions have to be taken into account. Relaxation induced by superparamagnetic particles is generally attributed to an outersphere relaxation mechanism. Each model can only be used under specific conditions (motional averaging regime, static regime, high magnetic field, etc.) or for a particular sequence (Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill, spin echo, free-induction decay, nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profile, etc.). The parameters included in the equations must be carefully interpreted. In some more complex conditions, simulations are necessary to be able to predict the relaxation rates. A good agreement is usually observed between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results, although some data still cannot be fully understood, such as the dependence of the transverse relaxation on the magnetic field. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1468. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1468 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

In Vivo Imaging of Local Gene Expression Induced by Magnetic Hyperthermia

The present work aims to demonstrate that colloidal dispersions of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with dextran macromolecules placed in an alternating magnetic field can not only produce heat, but also that these particles could be used in vivo for local and noninvasive deposition of a thermal dose sufficient to trigger thermo-induced gene expression. Iron oxide nanoparticles were first characterized in vitro on a bio-inspired setup, and then they were assayed in vivo using a transgenic mouse strain expressing the luciferase reporter gene under transcriptional control of a thermosensitive promoter. Iron oxide nanoparticles dispersions were applied topically on the mouse skin or injected subcutaneously with Matrigel™ to generate so-called pseudotumors. Temperature was monitored continuously with a feedback loop to control the power of the magnetic field generator and to avoid overheating. Thermo-induced luciferase expression was followed by bioluminescence imaging 6 h after heating. We showed that dextran-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle dispersions were able to induce in vivo mild hyperthermia compatible with thermo-induced gene expression in surrounding tissues and without impairing cell viability. These data open new therapeutic perspectives for using mild magnetic hyperthermia as noninvasive modulation of tumor microenvironment by local thermo-induced gene expression or drug release.

Colloidal capsules: nano- and microcapsules with colloidal particle shells

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis strategies and the progress made so far of bringing colloidal capsules closer to technical and biomedical applications.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized by peptide nucleic acids

Hydrophilic SPION were decorated with PNA decamers by SH/maleimide clickreaction as potential MRI and hyperthermia agents, and PNA carriers.

Impact of biopolymer matrices on relaxometric properties of contrast agents

Properties of water molecules at the interface between contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging and macromolecules could have a valuable impact on the effectiveness of metal chelates. Recent studies, indeed, demonstrated that polymer architectures could influence CAs' relaxivity by modifying the correlation times of the metal chelate. However, an understanding of the physico-chemical properties of polymer/CA systems is necessary to improve the efficiency of clinically used CAs, still exhibiting low relaxivity. In this context, we investigate the impact of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels on the relaxometric properties of Gd-DTPA, a clinically used CA, to understand better the determining role of the water, which is crucial for both the relaxation enhancement and the polymer conformation. To this aim, water self-diffusion coefficients, thermodynamic interactions and relaxometric properties of HA/Gd-DTPA solutions are studied through time-domain NMR relaxometry and isothermal titration calorimetry. We observed that the presence of Gd-DTPA could alter the polymer conformation and the behaviour of water molecules at the HA/Gd-DTPA interface, thus modulating the relaxivity of the system. In conclusion, the tunability of hydrogel structures could be exploited to improve magnetic properties of metal chelates, inspiring the development of new CAs as well as metallopolymer complexes with applications as sensors and memory devices.

Tuning the architectural integrity of high-performance magneto-fluorescent core-shell nanoassemblies in cancer cells

High-density nanoarchitectures, endowed with simultaneous fluorescence and contrast properties for MRI and TEM imaging, have been obtained using a simple self-assembling strategy based on supramolecular interactions between non-doped fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FON) and superparamagnetic nanoparticles. In this way, a high-payload core-shell structure FON@mag has been obtained, protecting the hydrophobic fluorophores from the surroundings as well as from emission quenching by the shell of magnetic nanoparticles. Compared to isolated nanoparticles, maghemite nanoparticles self-assembled as an external shell create large inhomogeneous magnetic field, which causes enhanced transverse relaxivity and exacerbated MRI contrast. The magnetic load of the resulting nanoassemblies is evaluated using magnetic sedimentation and more originally electrospray mass spectrometry. The role of the stabilizing agents (citrate versus polyacrylate anions) revealed to be crucial regarding the cohesion of the resulting high-performance magneto-fluorescent nanoassemblies, which questions their use after cell internalization as nanocarriers or imaging agents for reliable correlative light and electron microcopy.

NMR relaxation induced by iron oxide particles: testing theoretical models

Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles find their main application as contrast agents for cellular and molecular magnetic resonance imaging. The contrast they bring is due to the shortening of the transverse relaxation time T 2 of water protons. In order to understand their influence on proton relaxation, different theoretical relaxation models have been developed, each of them presenting a certain validity domain, which depends on the particle characteristics and proton dynamics. The validation of these models is crucial since they allow for predicting the ideal particle characteristics for obtaining the best contrast but also because the fitting of T 1 experimental data by the theory constitutes an interesting tool for the characterization of the nanoparticles. In this work, T 2 of suspensions of iron oxide particles in different solvents and at different temperatures, corresponding to different proton diffusion properties, were measured and were compared to the three main theoretical models (the motional averaging regime, the static dephasing regime, and the partial refocusing model) with good qualitative agreement. However, a real quantitative agreement was not observed, probably because of the complexity of these nanoparticulate systems. The Roch theory, developed in the motional averaging regime (MAR), was also successfully used to fit T 1 nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles, even outside the MAR validity range, and provided a good estimate of the particle size. On the other hand, the simultaneous fitting of T 1 and T 2 NMRD profiles by the theory was impossible, and this occurrence constitutes a clear limitation of the Roch model. Finally, the theory was shown to satisfactorily fit the deuterium T 1 NMRD profile of superparamagnetic particle suspensions in heavy water.

Decorating Nanoparticle Surface for Targeted Drug Delivery: Opportunities and Challenges

The size, shape, stiffness (composition) and surface properties of nanoparticles (NPs) have been recognized as key design parameters for NP-mediated drug delivery platforms. Among them, the surface functionalization of NPs is of great significance for targeted drug delivery. For instance, targeting moieties are covalently coated on the surface of NPs to improve their selectively and affinity to cancer cells. However, due to a broad range of possible choices of surface decorating molecules, it is difficult to choose the proper one for targeted functions. In this work, we will review several representative experimental and computational studies in selecting the proper surface functional groups. Experimental studies reveal that: (1) the NPs with surface decorated amphiphilic polymers can enter the cell interior through penetrating pathway; (2) the NPs with tunable stiffness and identical surface chemistry can be selectively accepted by the diseased cells according to their stiffness; and (3) the NPs grafted with pH-responsive polymers can be accepted or rejected by the cells due to the local pH environment. In addition, we show that computer simulations could be useful to understand the detailed physical mechanisms behind these phenomena and guide the design of next-generation NP-based drug carriers with high selectivity, affinity, and low toxicity. For example, the detailed free energy analysis and molecular dynamics simulation reveals that amphiphilic polymer-decorated NPs can penetrate into the cell membrane through the "snorkeling" mechanism, by maximizing the interaction energy between the hydrophobic ligands and lipid tails. We anticipate that this work will inspire future studies in the design of environment-responsive NPs for targeted drug delivery.

Characterization of magnetic nanoparticles from Magnetospirillum Gryphiswaldense as potential theranostics tools

We investigated the theranostic properties of magnetosomes (MNs) extracted from magnetotactic bacteria, promising for nanomedicine applications. Besides a physico-chemical characterization, their potentiality as mediators for magnetic fluid hyperthermia and contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, both in vitro and in vivo, are here singled out. The MNs, constituted by magnetite nanocrystals arranged in chains, show a superparamagnetic behaviour and a clear evidence of Verwey transition, as signature of magnetite presence. The phospholipid membrane provides a good protection against oxidation and the MNs oxidation state is stable over months. Using an alternate magnetic field, the specific absorption rate was measured, resulting among the highest reported in literature. The MRI contrast efficiency was evaluated by means of the acquisition of complete NMRD profiles. The transverse relaxivity resulted as high as the one of a former commercial contrast agent. The MNs were inoculated into an animal model of tumour and their presence was detected by magnetic resonance images two weeks after the injection in the tumour mass.

Specific absorption rate dependence on temperature in magnetic field hyperthermia measured by dynamic hysteresis losses (ac magnetometry)

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are intensively studied for their potential use for magnetic hyperthermia, a treatment that has passed a phase II clinical trial against severe brain cancer (glioblastoma) at the end of 2011. Their heating power, characterized by the 'specific absorption rate (SAR)', is often considered temperature independent in the literature, mainly because of the difficulties that arise from the measurement methodology. Using a dynamic magnetometer presented in a recent paper, we measure here the thermal dependence of SAR for superparamagnetic iron oxide (maghemite) NPs of four different size-ranges corresponding to mean diameters around 12 nm, 14 nm, 15 nm and 16 nm. The article reports a parametrical study extending from 10 to 60 °C in temperature, from 75 to 1031 kHz in frequency, and from 2 to 24 kA m(-1) in magnetic field strength. It was observed that SAR values of smaller NPs decrease with temperature whereas for the larger sample (16 nm) SAR values increase with temperature. The measured variation of SAR with temperature is frequency dependent. This behaviour is fully explained within the scope of linear response theory based on Néel and Brown relaxation processes, using independent magnetic measurements of the specific magnetization and the magnetic anisotropy constant. A good quantitative agreement between experimental values and theoretical values is confirmed in a tri-dimensional space that uses as coordinates the field strength, the frequency and the temperature.

Enhanced encapsulation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 in acidic core-containing micelles for magnetic resonance imaging

Block copolymer-based magnetic nanoassembled structures with acidic cores exhibiting enhanced loading level of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, thus having great potential for theranostics based on MRI.

MR imaging and targeting of human breast cancer cells with folate decorated nanoparticles

Folate decorated organic nanocarriers loaded with magnetite nanoparticles and paclitaxel provide a specific and prolonged negative contrast of breast cancers on T₂-weighted MR images.

Recent advances towards the fabrication and biomedical applications of responsive polymeric assemblies and nanoparticle hybrid superstructures

We highlight recent developments, microstructural control, and biomedical applications of stimuli-responsive polymeric assemblies and responsive hybrid superstructures.

Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced intracellular drug transport

New multicomponent biocompatible MNPs are designed as intracellular vectors to in situ load antitumor drugs and transport them inside cells.

An efficient and highly versatile synthetic route to prepare iron oxide nanoparticles/nanocomposites with tunable morphologies

We report a versatile synthetic method for the in situ self-assembly of magnetic-nanoparticle-functionalized polymeric nanomorphologies, including spherical micelles and rod-like and worm-like micelles and vesicles. Poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate)-block-(methacrylic acid)-block-poly(styrene) (POEGMA-b-PMAA-b-PST) triblock copolymer chains were simultaneously propagated and self-assembled via a polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) approach. Subsequently, the carboxylic acid groups in the copolymers were used to complex an iron ion (Fe(II)/Fe(III)) mixture. Iron oxide nanoparticles were then formed in the central block, within the polymeric nanoparticles, via alkaline coprecipitation of the iron(II) and (III) salts. Nanoparticle morphologies, particle sizes, molecular weights, and chemical structures were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and (1)H NMR measurements. TEM micrographs showed that the average size of the magnetic nanoparticles was ∼7 nm at the hydrophobic/hydrophilic nexus contained within the nanoparticles. In addition, XRD was used to confirm the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. Importantly, the polymeric nanoparticle morphologies were not affected by the coprecipitation of the magnetic nanoparticles. The hybrid nanoparticles were then evaluated as negative MRI contrast agents, displaying remarkably high transverse relaxivities (r2, greater than 550 mM(-1) s(-1) at 9.4 T); a result, that we hypothesize, ensues from iron oxide nanoparticle clustering at the hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface. This simple synthetic procedure is highly versatile and produces nanocarriers of tunable size and shape with high efficacy as MRI contrast agents and potential utility as theranostic delivery vectors.

Ammonia-assisted semicarbonization: a simple method to introduce micropores without damaging a 3D mesoporous carbon nanonetwork structure

A simple and effective way to introduce micropores into skeleton of carbon aerogel (CA) without damaging its unique 3D mesoporous nanonetwork has been successfully developed by NH3-assisted semicarbonization. During the NH3-assisted semicarbonization process, nitrogen functional groups with high thermo-decomposable ability like pyrrolic/pyridine and pyridinic can be introduced into the semicarbonized aerogel framework by substituting oxygen functional groups with low thermo-decomposable ability like C═O quinone-type groups and then escape from the resultant CA framework during the subsequent carbonization, thus forming abundant micropores inside carbon framework under the circumstance of keeping wonderful stability of mesoporous nanonetwork structure. Compared with the traditional CA without NH3 assistance during semicarbonization, the as-prepared novel CA represents a much higher surface area (1100 vs 620 m(2) g(-1)) and a compatible mesopore structure. Meanwhile, such a NH3 treatment confers many useful nitrogen functional groups on the nanonetwork framework. The novel CA is then used as electrode material of supercapacitors and shows a much higher capacitance and comparable high capacitance retention as compared with the traditional CA.

NMR as evaluation strategy for cellular uptake of nanoparticles

Advanced nanostructured materials, such as gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and multifunctional materials, are nowadays used in many state-of-the-art biomedical application. However, although the engineering in this field is very advanced, there remain some fundamental problems involving the interaction mechanisms between nanostructures and cells or tissues. Here we show the potential of (1)H NMR in the investigation of the uptake of two different kinds of nanostructures, that is, maghemite and gold nanoparticles, and of a chemotherapy drug (Temozolomide) in glioblastoma tumor cells. The proposed experimental protocol provides a new way to investigate the general problem of cellular uptake for a variety of biocompatible nanostructures and drugs.

Theranostic vesicles based on bovine serum albumin and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) for magnetic resonance imaging and anticancer drug delivery

Presented in this article is the preparation of a new theranostic vesicle which exhibits excellent in vitro and in vivo T1 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast effect and good anticancer drug delivery ability. The theranostic vesicle has been easily prepared based on an amphiphilic biocompatible and biodegradable dibock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-b-PLGA) and bovine serum albumin-gadolinium (BSA-Gd) complexes. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) measurements confirmed the formation and physiological stability of BSA-Gd@PEG-b-PLGA vesicles. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo MR imaging experiments revealed their excellent T1-weighted MR imaging function. Red blood cell hemolysis and cytotoxicity experiments confirmed their good blood compatibility and low cytotoxicity. Doxorubicin (DOX) loading and release experiments indicated a more retarded release rate of DOX in those theranostic vesicles than sole PEG-b-PLGA nanoparticles without BSA. Overall, this new biocompatible and biodegradable vesicle shows promising potential in theranostic applications.

Size-controlled self-assembly of superparamagnetic polymersomes

We report the size-controlled self-assembly of polymersomes through the cooperative self-assembly of nanoparticles and amphiphilic polymers. Polymersomes densely packed with magnetic nanoparticles in the polymersome membrane (magneto-polymersome) were fabricated with a series of different sized iron oxide nanoparticles. The distribution of nanoparticles in a polymersome membrane was size-dependent; while small nanoparticles were dispersed in a polymer bilayer, large particles formed a well-ordered superstructure at the interface between the inner and outer layer of a bilayer membrane. The yield of magneto-polymersomes increased with increasing the diameter of incorporated nanoparticles. Moreover, the size of the polymersomes was effectively controlled by varying the size of incorporated nanoparticles. This size-dependent self-assembly was attributed to the polymer chain entropy effect and the size-dependent localization of nanoparticles in polymersome bilayers. The transverse relaxation rates (r2) of magneto-polymersomes increased with increasing the nanoparticle diameter and decreasing the size of polymersomes, reaching 555 ± 24 s(-1) mM(-1) for 241 ± 16 nm polymersomes, which is the highest value reported to date for superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Highly cohesive dual nanoassemblies for complementary multiscale bioimaging

Core–shell nanoarchitectures made of non-doped fluorescent organic platforms capped with magnetic nanoparticles display high bioimaging performances.

A block copolymer-stabilized co-precipitation approach to magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for potential use as MRI contrast agents

A library of magnetic nanoparticles was generated usingin situco-precipitation of ferrous (Fe²⁺) and ferric (Fe³⁺) ions from aqueous solutions in the presence of functional block copolymers.

Poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) anchored maghemite nanoparticles designed for multi-stimuli triggered drug release

Original core/corona nanoparticles composed of a maghemite core and a stimuli-responsive polymer coating made of poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) macromolecules were fabricated for drug delivery system (DDS) application. This kind of DDS aims to combine the advantage of stimuli-responsive polymer coating, in order to regulate the drug release behaviours under different conditions and furthermore, improve the biocompatibility and in vivo circulation half-time of the maghemite nanoparticles. Drug loading capacity was evaluated with methylene blue (MB), a cationic model drug. The triggered release of MB was studied under various stimuli such as pH, ionic strength and temperature. Local heating generated under alternating magnetic field (AMF) application was studied, and remotely AMF-triggered release was also confirmed, while a mild heating-up of the release medium was observed. Furthermore, their potential application as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents was explored via relaxivity measurements and acquisition of T2-weighted images. Preliminary studies on the cytotoxicity against mouse fibroblast-like L929 cell line and also their cellular uptake within human melanoma MEL-5 cell line were carried out. In conclusion, this kind of stimuli-responsive nanoparticles appears to be promising carriers for delivering drugs to some tumour sites or into cellular compartments with an acidic environment.

Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to monitor theranostic nanoparticle uptake and intracellular doxorubicin release

We describe the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with excellent colloidal stability in both water and serum, imparted by carefully designed grafted polymer shells. The polymer shells were built with attached aldehyde functionality to enable the reversible attachment of doxorubicin (DOX) via imine bonds, providing a controlled release mechanism for DOX in acidic environments. The IONPs were shown to be readily taken up by cell lines (MCF-7 breast cancer cells and H1299 lung cancer cells), and intracellular release of DOX was proven using in vitro fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) measurements. Using the fluorescence lifetime difference exhibited by native DOX (~1 ns) compared to conjugated DOX (~4.6 ns), the intracellular release of conjugated DOX was in situ monitored in H1299 and was estimated using phasor plot representation, showing a clear increase of native DOX with time. The results obtained from FLIM were corroborated using confocal microscopy, clearly showing DOX accumulation in the nuclei. The IONPs were also assessed as MRI negative contrast agents. We observed a significant change in the transverse relaxivity properties of the IONPs, going from 220 to 390 mM(-1) s(-1), in the presence or absence of conjugated DOX. This dependence of MRI signal on IONP-DOX/water interactions may be exploited in future theranostic applications. The in vitro studies were then extended to monitor cell uptake of the DOX loaded IONPs (IONP@P(HBA)-b-P(OEGA) + DOX) into two 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCS) grown from two independent cell lines (MCF-7 and H1299) using multiphoton excitation microscopy.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized by a poly(amidoamine)-rhenium complex as potential theranostic probe

Three-component nanocomposites, constituted by a superparamagnetic iron oxide core coated with a polymeric surfactant bearing tightly bound Re(CO)3 moieties, were prepared and fully characterized. The water soluble and biocompatible surfactant was a linear poly(amidoamine) copolymer (PAA), containing cysteamine pendants in the minority part (ISA23SH), able to coordinate Re(CO)3 fragments. For the synthesis of the nanocomposites two methods were compared, involving either (i) peptization of bare magnetite nanoparticles by interaction with the preformed ISA23SH-Re(CO)3 complex, or (ii) "one-pot" synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of the ISA23SH copolymer, followed by complexation of Re to the SPIO@ISA23SH nanocomposite. Full characterization by TEM, DLS, TGA, SQUID, and relaxometry showed that the second method gave better results. The magnetic cores had a roundish shape, with low dispersion (mean diameter ca. 6 nm) and a tendency to form larger aggregates (detected both by TEM and DLS), arising from multiple interactions of the polymeric coils. Aggregation did not affect the stability of the nano-suspension, found to be stable for many months without precipitate formation. The SPIO@PAA-Re nanoparticles (NPs) showed superparamagnetic behaviour and nuclear relaxivities similar or superior to commercial MRI contrast agents (CAs), which make them promising as MRI "negative" CAs. The possibility to encapsulate (186/188)Re isotopes (γ and β emitters) gives these novel NPs the potential to behave as bimodal nanostructures devoted to theranostic applications.

Polymersomes and Multicompartment Polymersomes Formed by the Interfacial Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles and Amphiphilic Polymers

Here, we report the formation of polymer vesicles (polymersomes) uniformly decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through the interfacial self-assembly of 11-mercapto-1-undecanol (MUL)-stabilized AuNPs and two prototypical amphiphilic polymers (i.e., polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA), poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polylactide (PEO-b-PLA)). The addition of MUL-capped nanoparticles during the self-assembly process was found to stabilize colloidal polymer assemblies that otherwise tend to form macroscopic aggregates in water. Multicompartment polymersomes with complex internal membrane structures were formed at high nanoparticle volume percent, demonstrating that the interfacial assembly of nanoparticles can be used to create interesting new types of polymer assemblies while providing additional functionalities. This strategy offers a simple method for the formation of nanoparticle-loaded polymersomes that is applicable to various types of amphiphilic polymers.