Multiphysics Flow Modeling and in Vitro Toxicity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Abstract

This study investigated the behavior of ferrofluids containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) of various compositions for potential applications in drug delivery and imaging. To ensure biocompatibility, the interaction of these SPION with two cell lines (adhesive and suspended) was also investigated using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The cell lines studied were primary mouse connective tissue cells (adhesive) and human leukemia cells (suspended). SPION were synthesized with a co-precipitation method under different stirring rates and NaOH molarities. The SPION demonstrated a range of magnetic saturations due to their different shapes, which included magnetite colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNC's), magnetic beads, and single-coated nanoparticles. All synthesized SPION maintained reasonable cell viability following exposure to cells. Flow cytometer tests showed that no apoptosis took place in cells exposed to SPION. A multiphysics numerical model was developed to study the dynamic behavior of ferrofluids containing the SPION in a blood vessel while under an externally applied magnetic field. Simulation results suggest that the SPION magnetic properties and the strength of the external field are important factors in determining both the shape and amplitude of the resulting ferrofluid velocity field.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs): Development, surface modification and applications in chemotherapy

“…The proposed mechanism of the formation of a cross-linked shell on the surface of single SPION and magnetic beads (e.g., Figure 3d) is shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively. It is worthy to note that no precipitation formed in the suspension of PEGFcoated SPION, not even after storage for more than six months, which is the maximum time period that other coatings, such as PVA, 34 are able to stabilize SPIONs. The high stability of PEGFcoated SPION is very likely due to the hydrogel property of PEGF, which is able to absorb water and decreases the density of the core-shell nanoparticles.…”

“…Cell detachment upon physical contact with SPIONs also necessitated the development of customized protocols for the MTT assay; detachment increased with both increasing SPION concentration and contact time. 34 In reducing the adhesive properties of L929 cells, SPION exposure may have increased error in the MTT assay through the elimination of crystals during removal of the supernatant. To accommodate for these cell detachment effects, cells were examined by optical microscopy to ascertain the density of violet spots prior to detachment.…”

Cytotoxicity and Cell Cycle Effects of Bare and Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Mouse Fibroblasts

“…Outlier detection was performed as described previously. [16] To assess the effects of the SPIONs on the cell morphology, the plates were also examined by optical microscopy.…”

“…Recently our research group showed that cell necrosis and apoptosis do not significantly occur in mouse fibroblasts exposed to magnetite nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). [16] Other studies have similarly shown a very-low toxicity resulting from treatment with iron oxide nanoparticles. [3,5] The occurrence, however, of oxidative stress in cells treated with iron oxide nanoparticles suggests the potential for DNA damage as an early effect, shown in cell-cycle progression.…”

“…[16] Other studies have similarly shown a very-low toxicity resulting from treatment with iron oxide nanoparticles. [3,5] The occurrence, however, of oxidative stress in cells treated with iron oxide nanoparticles suggests the potential for DNA damage as an early effect, shown in cell-cycle progression. It is worth noting that cells with reversibly damaged DNA will accumulate in the gap 1 (G 1 ), or DNA synthesis (S), and in the gap 2 /mitosis (G 2 /M) phases.…”