Magnet-Guided Temozolomide and Ferucarbotran Loaded Nanoparticles to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy in Glioma Model

Background. The aim of the study was to synthesize liposomal nanoparticles loaded with temozolomide and ferucarbotran (LTF) and to evaluate the theranostic effect of LTF in the glioma model. Methods. We synthesized an LTF that could pass through the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) and localize in brain tumor tissue with the help of magnet guidance. We examined the chemical characteristics. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity studies were conducted in vitro. A biodistribution and tumor inhibition study was conduted using an in vivo glioma model. Results. The particle size and surface charge of LTF show 108 nm and -38 mV, respectively. Additionally, the presence of ferucarbotran significantly increased the contrast agent effect of glioma compared to the control group in MR imaging. Magnet-guided LTF significantly reduced the tumor size compared to control and other groups. Furthermore, compared to the control group, our results demonstrate a significant inhibition in brain tumor size and an increase in lifespan. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the LTF with magnetic guidance represents a novel approach to address current obstacles, such as BBB penetration of nanoparticles and drug resistance. Magnet-guided LTF is able to enhance therapeutic efficacy in mouse brain glioma.

Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles for Biomedical Applications Using Multifunctional Magnetic Nanomaterials

Extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes) carrying various biomolecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) have rapidly emerged as promising platforms for many biomedical applications. Despite their enormous potential, their heterogeneity in surfaces and sizes, the high complexity of cargo biomolecules, and the inefficient uptake by recipient cells remain critical barriers for their theranostic applications. To address these critical issues, multifunctional nanomaterials, such as magnetic nanomaterials, with their tunable physical, chemical, and biological properties, may play crucial roles in next-generation extracellular vesicles (EV)-based disease diagnosis, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. As such, one aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge pertaining to magnetic nanomaterials-facilitated isolation, detection, and delivery of extracellular vesicles and their associated biomolecules. By engaging the fields of extracellular vesicles and magnetic nanomaterials, it is envisioned that their properties can be effectively combined for optimal outcomes in biomedical applications.

CD9 Upregulation-Decreased CCL21 Secretion in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces Cancer Cell Migration

Tetraspanin CD9 is widely expressed on various cell types, such as cancer cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and/or cell-released exosomes. It has been reported that exosomal CD9 plays an important role in intercellular communications involved in cancer cell migration and metastasis. However, reports on the effect of the CD9 of MSCs or MSC-derived exosomes on cancer cell migration are still lacking. In this study, using a transwell migration assay, we found that both dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (dex-IO NPs) and ionomycin stimulated exosomal CD9 expression in human MSCs (hMSCs); however, hMSCs could not deliver them to melanoma cells to affect cell migration. Interestingly, a reduced migration of melanoma cell line was observed when the ionomycin-incubated hMSC-conditioned media but not dex-IO NP-labeled hMSC-conditioned media were in the bottom chamber. In addition, we found that dex-IO NPs decreased cellular CD9 expression in hMSCs but ionomycin increased this. Simultaneously, we found that ionomycin suppressed the expression and secretion of the chemokine CCL21 in hMSCs. The silencing of CD9 demonstrated an inhibitory role of cellular CD9 in CCL21 expression in hMSCs, suggesting that ionomycin could upregulate cellular CD9 to decrease CCL21 expression and secretion of hMSCs, which would reduce the migration of B16F10, A549 and U87MG cancer cell lines due to chemoattraction reduction of CCL21. The present study not only highlights the important role of bone marrow-derived hMSCs' CD9-mediated CCL21 regulation in cancer bone metastasis but also suggests a new distinct pharmaceutical strategy for prevention or/and therapy of cancer metastasis.

Redox-Responsive Nanobiomaterials-Based Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Redox regulation has recently been proposed as a critical intracellular mechanism affecting cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Redox homeostasis has also been implicated in a variety of degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it is hypothesized that markers of oxidative stress precede pathologic lesions in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested so far to improve the endogenous defense against oxidative stress and its harmful effects. Among such approaches, the use of artificial antioxidant systems has gained increased popularity as an effective strategy. Nanoscale drug delivery systems loaded with enzymes, bioinspired catalytic nanoparticles and other nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates. The development of degradable hydrogels scaffolds with antioxidant effects could also enable scientists to positively influence cell fate. This current review summarizes nanobiomaterial-based approaches for redox regulation and their potential applications as central nervous system neurodegenerative disease treatments.

Mechanisms for cellular uptake of nanosized clinical MRI contrast agents

Engineered Nanomaterials (NMs), such as Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), offer significant benefits in a wide range of applications, including cancer diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, the use of NMs in biomedicine raises safety concerns due to lack of knowledge on possible biological interactions and effects. The initial basis for using SPIONs as biomedical MRI contrast enhancement agents was the idea that they are selectively taken up by macrophage cells, and not by the surrounding cancer cells. To investigate this claim, we analyzed the uptake of SPIONs into well-established cancer cell models and benchmarked this against a common macrophage cell model. In combination with fluorescent labeling of compartments and siRNA silencing of various proteins involved in common endocytic pathways, the mechanisms of internalization of SPIONs in these cell types has been ascertained utilizing reflectance confocal microscopy. Caveolar mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis are both implicated in SPION uptake into cancer cells, whereas in macrophage cells, a clathrin-dependant route appears to predominate. Colocalization studies confirmed the eventual fate of SPIONs as accumulation in the degradative lysosomes. Dissolution of the SPIONs within the lysosomal environment has also been determined, allowing a fuller understanding of the cellular interactions, uptake, trafficking and effects of SPIONs within a variety of cancer cells and macrophages. Overall, the behavior of SPIONS in non-phagocytotic cell lines is broadly similar to that in the specialist macrophage cells, although some differences in the uptake patterns are apparent.

Impact of Locally Administered Carboxydextran-Coated Super-Paramagnetic Iron Nanoparticles on Cellular Immune Function

Interstitially administered iron oxide particles are currently used for interoperative localization of sentinel lymph nodes (LNs) in cancer staging. Several studies have described concerns regarding the cellular accumulation of iron oxide nanoparticles relating them to phenotype and function deregulation of macrophages, impairing their ability to mount an appropriate immune response once an insult is present. This study aims to address what phenotypic and functional changes occur during lymphatic transit and accumulation of these particles. Data show that 60 nm carboxydextran-coated iron nanoparticles use a noncellular mechanism to reach the draining LNs and that their accumulation in macrophages induces transient phenotypic and functional changes. Nevertheless, macrophages recover their baseline levels of response within 7 days, and are still able to mount an appropriate response to bacterially induced inflammation.

Dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticle-improved therapeutic effects of human mesenchymal stem cells in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons. With their migration capacity toward the sites of diseased DA neurons in the PD brain, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to differentiate to DA neurons for the replacement of damaged neurons and to secrete neurotrophic factors for the protection and regeneration of diseased DA neurons; therefore MSCs show promise for the treatment of PD. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate that dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Dex-IO NPs) can improve the therapeutic efficacy of human MSCs (hMSCs) in a mouse model of PD induced by a local injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In situ examinations not only show that Dex-IO NPs can improve the rescue effect of hMSCs on the loss of host DA neurons but also demonstrate that Dex-IO NPs can promote the migration capacity of hMSCs toward lesioned DA neurons and induce the differentiation of hMSCs to DA-like neurons at the diseased sites. We prove that in vitro Dex-IO NPs can enhance the migration of hMSCs toward 6-OHDA-damaged SH-SY5Y-derived DA-like cells, induce hMSCs to differentiate to DA-like neurons in the conditioned media derived from 6-OHDA-damaged SH-SY5Y-derived DA-like cells and promote the protection/regeneration effects of hMSCs on 6-OHDA-damaged SH-SY5Y-derived DA-like cells. We confirm the potential of MSCs for cell-based therapy for PD. Dex-IO NPs can be used as a tool to accelerate and optimize MSC therapeutics for PD applicable clinically.

Dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles turn protumor mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into antitumor MSCs

dex-IO NPs can activate the antitumor mechanism (tumor tropism) but inactivate protumor mechanisms to transform protumor MSCs (pT-MSCs) into antitumor MSCs (aT-MSCs).