Stealth Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Organotropic Drug Targeting

Abstract

The ability of peculiar iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) to evade the immune system was investigated in vivo. The nanomaterial was provided directly into the farming water of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the distribution of IONPs and the delivery of oxytetracycline (OTC) was studied evidencing the successful overcoming of the intestinal barrier and the specific and prolonged (28 days) organotropic delivery of OTC to the fish ovary. Noteworthy, no sign of adverse effects was observed. In fish blood, IONPs were able to specifically bind apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and molecular modeling showed the structural analogy between the IONP@Apo A1 nanoconjugate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Thus, the preservation of the biological identity of the protein suggests a plausible explanation of the observed overcoming of the intestinal barrier, of the great biocompatibity of the nanomaterial, and of the prolonged drug delivery (benefiting of the lipoprotein transport route). The present study promises novel and unexpected stealth materials in nanomedicine.

Recent Advances in Understanding the Protein Corona of Nanoparticles and in the Formulation of “Stealthy” Nanomaterials

“…Another interesting example of how the biologically informed design of a nanomaterial can achieve a great improvement in its interaction with the biological environment was given by Magro et al (2019). In this study, 10-nm iron oxide NPs (IONPs) were produced.…”

Recent Advancements of Magnetic Nanomaterials in Cancer Therapy

“…Recently, a novel strategy of "stealthing" MNPs from the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) through selective in situ adsorption of specific apolipoproteins to reduce MPS clearance in a similar manner as PEGylated NPs was shown by Magro et al [142]. The authors developed an iron oxide nanoparticles formulation with unique crystal organization suitable for specific protein docking, called surface active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs).…”

Biochemical and pathophysiological properties of polyamines

“…The successful development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, as delivery system, for the treatment of cancer, pain and infectious diseases, depends on the possibility of tuning the nanomaterial properties, and, in particular, of controlling the interactions at the interface with biological systems. Venerando et al (2020) have developed peculiar magnetic nanoparticles, constituted of iron oxide, which find optimized uses for biosensing (Bonaiuto et al 2016), targeted drug delivery (Magro et al 2019), cell transfection (Magro et al 2017), and cell tracking (Venerando et al 2020). Iron oxide nano-based drug delivery systems are currently under evaluation for different pathologies.…”