ESR Method in Monitoring of Nanoparticle Endocytosis in Cancer Cells

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles are extensively studied for their use in diagnostics and medical therapy. The behavior of nanoparticles after adding them to cell culture is an essential factor (i.e., whether they attach to a cell membrane or penetrate the membrane and enter into the cell). The present studies aimed to demonstrate the application of electron spin resonance (ESR) as a suitable technique for monitoring of nanoparticles entering into cells during the endocytosis process. The model nanoparticles were composed of magnetite iron (II, III) oxide core functionalized with organic unit containing nitroxide radical 4-hydroxy-TEMPO (TEMPOL). The research studies included breast cancer cells, as well as model yeast and human microvascular endothelial cells. The results confirmed that the ESR method is suitable for studying the endocytosis process of nanoparticles in the selected cells. It also allows for direct monitoring of radical cellular processes.

Challenges in the Physical Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles

“…The ESR can be useful in various types of cells such as cancer, endothelium and yeast cells. This strategy can also describe the toxicity associated with the nanomaterials [ 162 ].…”

The Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Transport of Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles into Yeast Cells

“…However, these methods have significant limitations, and their applicability is related to specific particles and sensitivity, resolution, and availability, related to technical requirements. Alternatively, Krzyminiewski proposed using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to monitor the endocytosis of nanomaterials functionalized with spin labels into cells [16,17]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced in cells, and mitochondria are considered their primary endogenous source [18].…”

“…ESR studies confirm the penetration of nanoparticles into cells and facilitate monitoring of this whole process. Additionally, magnetic nanoparticles with attached spin labels (TEMPO or TEM-POL), as potential antioxidant agents, have been investigated for their possible use in treating inflammatory diseases, as radioprotectors in radiotherapy, and scavengers of free radicals in cells [17,32,40,41].…”

“…Yeast cells were also applied under various cellular stress impacts, including oxidative, osmotic, and ethanol accumulation [59]. In turn, Krzyminiewski and Dobosz applied yeast cells in the study of magnetic nanoparticle uptake and the antioxidant properties of a TEMPO spin probe using ESR [16,17,32].…”

Preliminary Study on the Effect of a Single High-Energy Electromagnetic Pulse on Morphology and Free Radical Generation in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…The only known direct method that enables the measurement of free radicals is electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) [ 20 ]. This method has been successfully applied in previous studies on free radicals in biological materials, such as blood samples [ 21 , 22 , 23 ], and in the studies of radical processes occurring in both healthy and cancer cells [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”