Impact of surface chemistry of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on protein corona formation and endothelial cell uptake, toxicity, and barrier function

Unveiling Nanoparticles: Recent Approaches in Studying the Internalization Pattern of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Mono- and Multicellular Biological Structures

Nanoparticle (NP)-based solutions for oncotherapy promise an improved efficiency of the anticancer response, as well as higher comfort for the patient. The current advancements in cancer treatment based on nanotechnology exploit the ability of these systems to pass biological barriers to target the tumor cell, as well as tumor cell organelles. In particular, iron oxide NPs are being clinically employed in oncological management due to this ability. When designing an efficient anti-cancer therapy based on NPs, it is important to know and to modulate the phenomena which take place during the interaction of the NPs with the tumor cells, as well as the normal tissues. In this regard, our review is focused on highlighting different approaches to studying the internalization patterns of iron oxide NPs in simple and complex 2D and 3D in vitro cell models, as well as in living tissues, in order to investigate the functionality of an NP-based treatment.

Non-invasive methods of monitoring Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle toxicity in human liver HepaRG cells using impedance biosensing and Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopic (CARS) microscopy

Functionalized nanoparticles have been developed for use in nanomedicines for treating life threatening diseases including various cancers. To ensure safe use of these new nanoscale reagents, various assays for biocompatibility or cytotoxicity in vitro using cell lines often serve as preliminary assessments prior to in vivo animal testing. However, many of these assays were designed for soluble, colourless materials and may not be suitable for coloured, non-transparent nanoparticles. Moreover, cell lines are not always representative of mammalian organs in vivo. In this work, we use non-invasive impedance sensing methods with organotypic human liver HepaRG cells as a model to test the toxicity of PEG-Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. We also use Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopic (CARS) microscopy to monitor the formation of lipid droplets as a parameter to the adverse effect on the HepaRG cell model. The results were also compared with two commercial testing kits (PrestoBlue and ATP) for cytotoxicity. The results suggested that the HepaRG cell model can be a more realistic model than commercial cell lines while use of impedance monitoring of Fe3O4 nanoparticles circumventing the uncertainties due to colour assays. These methods can play important roles for scientists driving towards the 3Rs principle - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

Modulating the toxicity of engineered nanoparticles by controlling protein corona formation: Recent advances and future prospects

With the rapid development and widespread application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), understanding the fundamental interactions between ENPs and biological systems is essential to assess and predict the fate of ENPs in vivo. When ENPs are exposed to complex physiological environments, biomolecules quickly and inevitably adsorb to ENPs to form a biomolecule corona, such as a protein corona (PC). The formed PC has a significant effect on the physicochemical properties of ENPs and gives them a brand new identity in the biological environment, which determines the subsequent ENP-cell/tissue/organ interactions. Controlling the formation of PCs is therefore of utmost importance to accurately predict and optimize the behavior of ENPs within living organisms, as well as ensure the safety of their applications. In this review, we provide an overview of the fundamental aspects of the PC, including the formation mechanism, composition, and frequently used characterization techniques. We comprehensively discuss the potential impact of the PC on ENP toxicity, including cytotoxicity, immune response, and so on. Additionally, we summarize recent advancements in manipulating PC formation on ENPs to achieve the desired biological outcomes. We further discuss the challenges and prospects, aiming to provide valuable insights for a better understanding and prediction of ENP behaviors in vivo, as well as the development of low-toxicity ENPs.

Impact of food matrices on the characteristics and cellular toxicities of ingested nanoplastics in a simulated digestive tract

Microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) pollution has become a major global food safety concern. MNPs can interact with food matrices, and their passage through the gastrointestinal tract can modify their properties. To explore whether and how food matrices influence MNP toxicity, we investigated the interactions between polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and food matrices, using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model. Then, we tested cell viability, particle uptake and cellular toxicities induced by PS-NPs with food matrices in Caco-2 cells. The results showed that PS-NPs were aggregated, both with and without food matrices, after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Glyceryl trioleate exerted greater ability to stabilize digestas and to disperse PS-NPs than starch and bovine serum albumin. The protein corona's protein composition on PS-NPs varied when it interacted with different food matrices. Moreover, when combined with food matrices, the PS-NPs' uptake was enhanced, thus aggravating cellular inflammation, stress, and apoptosis levels. Finally, through co-exposure to a mixture of food matrices, we found a combined negative effect of PS-NPs and cadmium on cellular inflammation, stress, and apoptosis levels. This is the first study to compare the impact of various food matrices on the characteristics and cellular toxicities of ingested NPs in a simulated digestive tract.

An updated overview of some factors that influence the biological effects of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) can be extremely effective in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer due to their properties. The nanotechnology industry is developing rapidly. The number of multifunctional NPs has increased in the market and hundreds of NPs are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. Thus, the mechanism underlying the effects of NPs on biological systems has received much attention. After NPs enter the body, they interact with plasma proteins, tumour cell receptors, and small biological molecules. This interaction is closely related to the size, shape, chemical composition and surface modification properties of NPs. In this review, the effects of the size, shape, chemical composition and surface modification of NPs on the biological effects of NPs were summarised, including the mechanism through which NPs enter cells, the resulting oxidative stress response, and the interaction with proteins. This review of the biological effects of NPs can not only provide theoretical support for the preparation of safer and more efficient NPs but also lay the foundation for their clinical application.

Recent progress in the effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on cells and extracellular vesicles

At present, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are widely used in the biomedical field. They have unique advantages in targeted drug delivery, imaging and disease treatment. However, there are many things to pay attention to. In this paper, we reviewed the fate of IONPs in different cells and the influence on the production, separation, delivery and treatment of extracellular vesicles. It aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge related to iron oxide nanoparticles. Only by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of IONPs can their application in biomedical research and clinic be further improved.

The clinical relevance of detectable plasma iron species in iron overload states and subsequent to intravenous iron-carbohydrate administration

Many disorders of iron homeostasis (e.g., iron overload) are associated with the dynamic kinetic profiles of multiple non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) species, chronic exposure to which is associated with deleterious end-organ effects. Here we discuss the chemical nature of NTBI species, challenges with measuring NTBI in plasma, and the clinical relevance of NTBI exposure based on source (iron overload disorder vs. intravenous iron-carbohydrate complex administration). NTBI is not a single entity but consists of multiple, often poorly characterized species, some of which are kinetically non-exchangeable while others are relatively exchangeable. Prolonged presence of plasma NTBI is associated with excessive tissue iron accumulation in susceptible tissues, with consequences, such as endocrinopathy and heart failure. In contrast, intravenous iron-carbohydrate nanomedicines administration leads only to transient NTBI appearance and lacks evidence for association with adverse clinical outcomes. Assays to measure plasma NTBI are typically technically complex and remain chiefly a research tool. There have been two general approaches to estimating NTBI: capture assays and redox-activity assays. Early assays could not avoid capturing some iron from transferrin, thus overestimating NTBI. By contrast, some later assays may have promoted the donation of NTBI species to transferrin during the assay procedure, potentially underestimating NTBI levels. The levels of transferrin saturation at which NTBI species have been detectable have varied between different methodologies and between patient populations studied.

Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Vaccines

Vaccination is still the most cost-effective way to combat infectious illnesses. Conventional vaccinations may have low immunogenicity and, in most situations, only provide partial protection. A new class of nanoparticle-based vaccinations has shown considerable promise in addressing the majority of the shortcomings of traditional and subunit vaccines. This is due to recent breakthroughs in chemical and biological engineering, which allow for the exact regulation of nanoparticle size, shape, functionality, and surface characteristics, resulting in improved antigen presentation and robust immunogenicity. A blend of physicochemical, immunological, and toxicological experiments can be used to accurately characterize nanovaccines. This narrative review will provide an overview of the current scenario of the nanovaccine.

Biocompatible Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Gene Therapy: A Review

In recent years, gene therapy has made remarkable achievements in tumor treatment. In a successfully cancer gene therapy, a smart gene delivery system is necessary for both protecting the therapeutic genes in circulation and enabling high gene expression in tumor sites. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have demonstrated their bright promise for highly efficient gene delivery target to tumor tissues, partly due to their good biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, and extensive functional surface modification. In this review, the latest progress in targeting cancer gene therapy is introduced, and the unique properties of IONPs contributing to the efficient delivery of therapeutic genes are summarized with detailed examples. Furthermore, the diagnosis potentials and synergistic tumor treatment capacity of IONPs are highlighted. In addition, aiming at potential risks during the gene delivery process, several strategies to improve the efficiency or reduce the potential risks of using IONPs for cancer gene therapy are introduced and addressed. The strategies and applications summarized in this review provide a general understanding for the potential applications of IONPs in cancer gene therapy.