Yaroslav Y. Marchenko

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with epidermal growth factor (SPION-EGF) for targeting brain tumors.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (SPION–EGF) were studied as a potential agent for magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement of malignant brain tumors. Synthesized conjugates were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry. The interaction of SPION–EGF conjugates with cells was analyzed in a C6 glioma cell culture. The distribution of the nanoparticles and their accumulation in tumors were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in an orthotopic model of C6 gliomas. SPION–EGF nanosuspensions had the properties of a negative contrast agent with high coefficients of relaxation efficiency. In vitro studies of SPION–EGF nanoparticles showed high intracellular incorporation and the absence of a toxic influence on C6 cell viability and proliferation. Intravenous administration of SPION–EGF conjugates in animals provided receptor-mediated targeted delivery across the blood–brain barrier and tumor retention of the nanoparticles; this was more efficient than with unconjugated SPIONs. The accumulation of conjugates in the glioma was revealed as hypotensive zones on T2-weighted images with a twofold reduction in T2 relaxation time in comparison to unconjugated SPIONs (P<0.001). SPION–EGF conjugates provide targeted delivery and efficient magnetic resonance contrast enhancement of EGFR-overexpressing C6 gliomas.

Tumor targeting using magnetic nanoparticle Hsp70 conjugate in a model of C6 glioma

BACKGROUND Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), due to their unique magnetic properties, have the ability to function both as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents, and can be used for thermotherapy. SPIONs conjugated to the heat shock protein Hsp70 that selectively binds to the CD40 receptor present on glioma cells, could be used for MR contrast enhancement of experimental C6 glioma. METHODS The magnetic properties of the Hsp70-SPIONs were measured by NMR relaxometry method. The uptake of nanoparticles was assessed on the C6 glioma cells by confocal and electron microscopes. The tumor selectivity of Hsp70-SPIONs being intravenously administered was analyzed in the experimental model of C6 glioma in the MRI scanner. RESULTS Hsp70-SPIONs relaxivity corresponded to the properties of negative contrast agents with a hypointensive change of resonance signal in MR imaging. A significant accumulation of the Hsp70-SPIONs but not the non-conjugated nanoparticles was observed by confocal microscopy within C6 cells. Negative contrast tumor enhancement in the T2-weighted MR images was higher in the case of Hsp70-SPIONs in comparison to non-modified SPIONs. Histological analysis of the brain sections confirmed the retention of the Hsp70-SPIONs in the glioma tumor but not in the adjacent normal brain tissues. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that Hsp70-SPION conjugate intravenously administered in C6 glioma model accumulated in the tumors and enhanced the contrast of their MR images.

70-kDa heat shock protein coated magnetic nanocarriers as a nanovaccine for induction of anti-tumor immune response in experimental glioma

Nanovaccines based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) provide a novel approach to induce the humoral and cell-based immune system to fight cancer. Herein, we increased the immunostimulatory capacity of SPIONs by coating them with recombinant heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) which is known to chaperone antigenic peptides. After binding, Hsp70-SPIONs deliver immunogenic peptides from tumor lysates to dendritiс cells (DCs) and thus stimulate a tumor-specific, CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. We could show that binding activity of Hsp70-SPIONs to the substrate-binding domain (SBD) is highly dependent on the ATPase activity of its nucleotide-binding domain NBD), as shown by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Immunization of C6 glioma-bearing rats with DCs pulsed with Hsp70-SPIONs and tumor lysates resulted in a delayed tumor progression (as measured by MRI) and an increased overall survival. In parallel an increased IFNγ secretion were detected in the serum of these animals and immunohistological analysis of subsequent cryosections of the glioma revealed an enhanced infiltration of memory CD45RO+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Taken together the study demonstrates that magnetic nanocarriers such as SPIONs coated with Hsp70 can be applied as a platform for boosting anti-cancer immune responses.

Magnetic Epidermal Growth Factor Conjugate for Targeted Delivery to Grafted Tumor in Mouse Model

Magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with epidermal growth factor (MNP-EGF conjugates) were investigated by magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometry, on-chip quasielastic light scattering and magnetophoresis in aqueous dispersions and by MR imaging in phantom and in vivo models. MNP-EGF conjugates were prepared by carbodiimide EGF bonding with NH2-dextran modified iron oxide MNPs. The coefficients of magnetic relaxation efficiency (R1,R2,R2*) of MNP-EGF conjugates appeared to be close to the values obtained for nonconjugated MNPs and are correlating with those characteristic for negative contrast agents for MR imaging. MNP-EGF conjugates demonstrated ability of targeting MNPs to EGF receptors in EGF-overexpressed tumors. The feasibility of the MNP-EGF conjugates in diagnostics of certain cancer types was studied by MR imaging using mouse tumor models. It has been shown that intravenous and subcutaneous administration of MNP-EGF conjugates provided an enhancement of MR imaging contrast at the areas of accumulated cancer cells in melanoma mice model.

Detection of experimental myocardium infarction in rats by MRI using heat shock protein 70 conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle

UNLABELLED Superparamagnetic iron-oxide based contrast agents can provide important diagnostic information regarding the assessment of cardiac inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to analyze whether nanoparticles conjugated to recombinant 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70-SPION) can be applied for the detection of acute myocardium infarct by MRI. Cellular experiments demonstrated increased CD40-mediated uptake of Hsp70-SPIONs in comparison to non-conjugated SPIONs. Following induction of an acute infarct in rats by ligation of the left anterior descending artery SPIONs and Hsp70-SPION conjugates were injected intravenously on day 4. The animals underwent sequential MRI that showed the presence of the particles in the infarcted zone. Subsequent biodistribution analyses with the help of method on non-linear magnetic response indicated the preferential accumulation of the Hsp70-SPIONs in the heart tissue that was further confirmed with histological analyses. The study demonstrated that an acute infarct can be visualized by MRI using Hsp70-functionalized SPION conjugates. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR Superparamagnetic iron oxides nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been studied extensively as a contrast agent for MRI. Their tissue specificity can be further enhanced by conjugation with various ligands. In this study, the authors conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles to 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70-SPION) to investigate the feasibility for the detection of acute myocardium infarct. The positive findings would suggest that this approach might be used clinically in the future.

Targeting experimental orthotopic glioblastoma with chitosan-based superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (CS-DX-SPIONs)

Background Glioblastoma is the most devastating primary brain tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Magnetic nanocarriers may help not only for a targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into the tumor site but also provide contrast enhancing properties for diagnostics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Synthesized hybrid chitosan-dextran superparamagnetic nanoparticles (CS-DX-SPIONs) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and relaxometry studies. Nonlinear magnetic response measurements were employed for confirming the superparamagnetic state of particles. Following in vitro analysis of nanoparticles cellular uptake tumor targeting was assessed in the model of the orthotopic glioma in rodents. Results CS-DX-SPIONs nanoparticles showed a uniform diameter of 55 nm under TEM and superparamagentic characteristics as determined by T1 (spin-lattice relaxation time) and T2 (spin-spin relaxation time) proton relaxation times. Application of the chitosan increased the charge from +8.9 to +19.3 mV of the dextran-based SPIONs. The nonlinear magnetic response at second harmonic of CS-DX-SPIONs following the slow change of stationary magnetic fields with very low hysteresis evidenced superparamagnetic state of particles at ambient temperatures. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies showed an enhanced internalization of the chitosan-based nanoparticles in U87, C6 glioma and HeLa cells as compared to dextran-coated particles. Cytotoxicity assay demonstrated acceptable toxicity profile of the synthesized nanoparticles up to a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Intravenously administered CS-DX-SPIONs in orthotopic C6 gliomas in rats accumulated in the tumor site as shown by high-resolution MRI (11.0 T). Retention of nanoparticles resulted in a significant contrast enhancement of the tumor image that was accompanied with a dramatic drop in T2 values (P<0.001). Subsequent histological studies proved the accumulation of the nanoparticles inside glioblastoma cells. Conclusion Hybrid chitosan-dextran magnetic particles demonstrated high MR contrast enhancing properties for the delineation of the brain tumor. Due to a significant retention of the particles in the tumor an application of the CS-DX-SPIONs could not only improve the tumor imaging but also could allow a targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.

Preparation of Magnetite Nanoemulsion Stabilized by Tween 81 for MRI Contrast Enhancement

Magnetite nanoemulsions (NE) were synthesized via procedure of heterophase synthesis in a ternary system: Tween 81/pentadecane/water. Prepared NEs were studied by dynamic light scattering and NMR spectroscopy. Their size was of the order of 10 nm and they revealed superparamagnetic properties. MRI efficiency of the NEs was demonstrated by measuring magnetic spin‐spin relaxation rates, which complied with the properties of negative contrast agents. MRI of agar phantom demonstrates high grade of contrast enhancement in vitro. Toxicity of the preparations was studied on murine model. Studies revealed no signs of acute or short‐term (within 30 days) toxicity in mice. Synthesized magnetite NEs have potential for in vivo MRI contrast enhancement applications.

Switching assay as a novel approach for specific antigen- antibody interaction analysis using magnetic nanoparticles

Switching assay was applied for the detection of antigen-antibody interaction between 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) and anti-Hsp70 monoclonal antibodies in water solutions using conjugates with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs). Hsp70 is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that plays a crucial role in cancerogenesis and many other pathologies. Detection of the Hsp70 level in the biological fluids might have a prognostic and diagnostic value in clinic. The developed switch assay for the detection of Hsp70 demonstrated high sensitivity for antigen-antibody interaction analysis thus proving its potential for further preclinical and clinical studies.