Issue 19, 2016

Phosphocholine-decorated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: defining the structure and probing in vivo applications

Abstract

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are performing contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A functionalization strategy for SPIONs based on hydrophobic interactions is a versatile approach easily extendable to several kinds of inorganic nanoparticles and suitable for obtaining stable and biocompatible systems. Here we report on the original preparation of functionalized SPIONs with an 8 nm radius exploiting the hydrophobic interaction between a phosphocholine and an inner amphiphilic. With respect to other similarly functionalized SPIONs, characterized by the typical nanoparticle clustering that leads to large aggregates, our phosphocholine-decorated SPIONs are demonstrated to be monodisperse. We report the in vitro and in vivo study that proves the effective applicability of phosphocholine-decorated SPIONs as MRI contrast agents. The versatility of this functionalization approach is highlighted by introducing on the SPION surface a ruthenium-based potential antitumoral drug, named ToThyCholRu. Even if in this case we observed the formation of SPION clusters, ascribable to the presence of the amphiphilic ruthenium complex, interesting and promising antiproliferative activity points at the ToThyCholRu-decorated SPIONs as potential theranostic agents.

Graphical abstract: Phosphocholine-decorated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: defining the structure and probing in vivo applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 Nov 2015
Accepted
13 Dec 2015
First published
18 Dec 2015

Nanoscale, 2016,8, 10078-10086

Author version available

Phosphocholine-decorated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: defining the structure and probing in vivo applications

A. Luchini, C. Irace, R. Santamaria, D. Montesarchio, R. K. Heenan, N. Szekely, A. Flori, L. Menichetti and L. Paduano, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 10078 DOI: 10.1039/C5NR08486E

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