Toxicity assessment of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in different tissues

Abstract

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been employed in several biomedical applications where they facilitate both diagnostic and therapeutic aims. Although the potential benefits of SPIONs with different surface chemistry and conjugated targeting ligands/proteins are considerable, complicated interactions between these nanoparticles (NPs) and cells leading to toxic impacts could limit their clinical applications. Hence, elevation of our knowledge regarding the SPION-related toxicity is necessary. Here, the present review article will consider current studies and compare the potential toxic effect of SPIONs with or without identical surface chemistries on different cell lines. It centers on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying toxicity of SPIONs. Likewise, emphasis is being dedicated for toxicity of SPIONs in various cell lines, in vitro and animal models, in vivo.

Shape Anisotropic Iron Oxide-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

“…Nanoparticles with sizes below 10 nm are easily cleared by kidneys, while nanoparticles with sizes larger than 100 nm are phagocytized by macrophages and accumulate in the liver and spleen [183]. Cytotoxicity promoted by iron oxide nanoparticles can result from different mechanisms, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative stress, membrane damage, genotoxicity and inflammatory responses [184,185]. ROS production is mainly due to the large surface area of iron oxide nanoparticles for generation of free radicals and leaching of iron molecules from the surface by enzymatic degradation.…”

A Novel Hybrid Nanosystem Integrating Cytotoxic and Magnetic Properties as a Tool to Potentiate Melanoma Therapy

“…Few in vitro studies have been published and are often inconsistent, in vivo assays are scarce and human studies are almost inexistent. A balance between benefit and risk has to be carefully considered for each specific application [28,[48][49][50][51]. Nevertheless, in the present research, two main aspects were taken into consideration when developing this hybrid nanosystem: (i) IONPs should not, by themselves, affect cell viability and (ii) IONPs presence should not influence Cuphen cytotoxicity towards tumoral cells.…”

“…Following these promising results, the next step was to further enhance the accumulation and of Cuphen liposomes at melanoma sites through magnetic targeting. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been used for several applications in medicine, including cancer treatment via thermal ablation or hyperthermia [24], theranostics [25], as well as magnetically targeted drug carriers [26][27][28]. Hence, in order to potentiate melanoma therapy, the aim of the present study was to develop a new hybrid lipid-based nanosystem co-loading Cuphen, the cytotoxic metallodrug, and IONPs, for magnetic targeting as schematically demonstrated in Figure 1.…”

Comparison of ultrasmall IONPs and Fe salts biocompatibility and activity in multi-cellular in vitro models

“…The MTT test of NADH—dependent enzymatic activity is, undoubtedly, the most frequently used assay of IONPs cytotoxicity determination 11 , 12 , 16 . The existing literature shows that cytotoxic effect of IONPs on cell metabolic activity depends on the time of exposure and concentration of NPs 13 , 19 .…”

“…Vakili-Ghartavol et al, and Patil et al, summarized published till now results of the in vitro investigations concerning the toxicity of IONPs, comparing the effects of NPs with different physicochemical properties on various cell lines. In the light of their studies as well as other existing literature, the toxicity of IONPs strongly depends on NPs size, surface coating, dose and the type of cells exposed to their action 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 .…”