Realizing the Principles for Remote and Selective Detection of Cancer Cells Using Magnetic Nanowires

Abstract

The unmet demand for selective and remote detection of biological entities has urged nanobiotechnology to prioritize the innovation of biolabels that can be remotely detected. Magnetic nanowires (MNWs) have been deemed promising for remote detection as the magnetic fields can deeply and safely penetrate into tissue. However, the overlapping nature of the magnetic signatures has been a long-standing challenge for selective detection, which we resolve here. To do so, 13 types of MNWs with unique irreversible switching field (ISF) signatures were synthesized for labeling canine osteosarcoma (OSCA-8) cancer cells (one set) and polycarbonate biopolymers (12 sets). After characterizing the ISF signature of each MNW type, the MNW-labeled cancer cells were transferred onto MNW-labeled biopolymers to determine the most distinguishable ISF signatures and to discern the principles for reliable selective detection of biological entities. We show that tailoring the ISF of MNWs by tuning their coercivity is a highly effective approach for generating distinct magnetic biolabels for selective detection of cells. These findings smooth the path for the progression of nanobiotechnology by enabling the remote and selective detection of biological entities using MNWs.

Preparation, properties and biomedical applications progress of 1D magnetic nanomaterials with iron

“…Although MNWs were deemed to promise remote detection through the magnetic fields with deep and safe penetration on life tissue, the overlapping behaviour of the magnetic signatures was a great challenge on selective detection. Stadler et al [14] reported that MNWs with unique irreversible switching field (ISF) signatures could label canine osteosarcoma (OSCA-8) cancer cells (one set), and transfer onto MNW-labelled biopolymers to determine the most distinguishable ISF signatures, following to distinguish the principles for reliable selective detection of cell information, through tuning MNWs. Their findings open up a path for good nanobiotechnology by enabling the remote and selective detection of cell entities with MNWs.…”

“…Additionally, their surface modification or coating is essential in order to ensure their biocompatibility, tissue tolerance and specific biological functions [3–6]. Currently, many medical or clinical trials are in progress to investigate the bio‐function of these magnetic 1D nanomaterials with suited physical and chemical performances for biomedical many applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [7], hyperthermia [8], a platform for targeted gene delivery [9–12], biomolecule/cell separations [13, 14], antibody‐antigen immunoassay [15], tissue engineering. Especially, ‘theranostics’ via the functionalisational surface modification have been developed in tumour diagnose and therapy, which can facilitate better MRI, optical imaging and hyperthermia due to their higher magnetisation values than those of MNPs.…”

Bioapplications of Magnetic Nanowires: Barcodes, Biocomposites, Heaters

“…Most types of cells were found to internalize MNWs if the cells and MNWs were incubated together at body temperature, for example, in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). When labeled with the biomolecule peptide RGD, the MNWs exhibited self-dispersal by osteosarcoma cells [ 14 ]. Fig.…”

“… (a) Time-resolved strip showing an adherent osteosarcoma cell detaching from a Petri dish to divide and reattach (inset: schematic of the same to highlight the redistribution of MNWs inside daughter cells) [ 14 ]. (b) MNW-loaded biopolymer inside the heart of a model animal for measurement of BRC [ 12 ].…”

“…1(a) ] from their growth membranes and subsequently incorporated into gels for 3-D printing and additive manufacturing [ 13 ]. Free-floating MNWs in suspensions or assays will be internalized by cells [ 14 ], [ 15 ] which then dispense exosomes [ 16 ], both of which can be subsequently collected with an external magnet [ 17 ] or read-out by similar methods as used for MNWs in membranes [ 12 ]. A very recent application of MNWs is nanowarming of cryopreserved tissues and organs, which enables the freezing of biological time [ 18 ].…”