The Potential Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Liver Fibrosis Theranostics

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide due to chronic liver damage and leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. To date, there is no effective and specific therapy for patients with hepatic fibrosis. As a result of their various advantages such as biocompatibility, imaging contrast ability, improved tissue penetration, and superparamagnetic properties, magnetic nanoparticles have a great potential for diagnosis and therapy in various liver diseases including fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms and important factors for hepatic fibrosis and on potential magnetic nanoparticles-based therapeutics. New strategies for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis are also discussed, with a summary of the challenges and perspectives in the translational application of magnetic nanoparticles from bench to bedside.

Visualization system based on hierarchical targeting for diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Studies on using reactive oxygen species (ROS) to treat tumors have emerged in recent years [ 53 , 54 ]. Most of them have discussed that Fe 3 O 4 is the main component because the Fenton reaction involving Fe 3 O 4 can produce ROS [ 55 , 56 ], and mitochondria are also the natural oxygen production plant in the body [ 54 ]. The combination of Fe 3 O 4 and mitochondrial targeting is a feasible direction.…”

Mapping the 3D remodeling of the extracellular matrix in human hypertrophic scar by multi-parametric multiphoton imaging using endogenous contrast

“…Moreover, mitochondria play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of biological tissues and the dysfunction of mitochondria may also be a non-negligible indicator of scarring [ 73 , 74 ]. With the development of MPM as a new non-invasive, high-resolution and label-free method to study mitochondrial metabolism [ 75 ], we will apply MPM to metabolic characterizations of mitochondria in skin tissues in the next move to further understand the pathophysiology of human hypertrophic scar, so as to provide insights from not only the ECM [ 76 ] but also cells [ 77 ].…”

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

“…The most effective treatment for end-stage liver fibrosis is liver transplantation, but this is limited by shortage of organ donors and immunological rejection. A possible alternative is stem cell therapy, and potential applications including IONPs are steadily increasing [ 565 ].…”