Synthesis and characterization of CREKA-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles for hyperthermia applications

One of the current challenges in the systemic delivery of nanoparticles in cancer therapy applications is the lack of effective tumor localization. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) coated with crosslinked dextran were functionalized with the tumor-homing peptide CREKA, which binds to fibrinogen complexes in the extracellular matrix of tumors. This allows for the homing of these nanoparticles to tumor tissue. The IONP core allows for particle heating upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), while the dextran coating stabilizes the particles in suspension and decreases the cytotoxicity of the system. Magnetically mediated hyperthermia (MMH) allows for the heating of tumor tissue to increase the efficacy of traditional cancer treatments using IONPs. While MMH provides the opportunity for localized heating, this method is currently limited by the lack of particle penetration into tumor tissue, even after effective targeted delivery to the tumor site. The CREKA-conjugated nanoparticles presented were characterized for their size, stability, heating capabilities and biocompatibility. The particles had a hydrated diameter of 52 nm, were stable in phosphate buffered saline solution and media with 10% v/v fetal bovine serum over at least 12 h, and generated enough heat to raise solution temperatures well into the hyperthermia range (41–45 °C) when exposed to an AMF, owing to an average specific absorption rate of 83.5 W g⁻¹. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the particles have low cytotoxicity over long exposure times at low concentrations. A fibrinogen clotting assay was used to determine the binding affinity of CREKA-conjugated particles, which was significantly greater than the binding affinity of dextran, only coated IONPs demonstrating the potential for this particle system to effectively home to a variety of tumor locations. Finally, it was shown that in vitro MMH increased the effects of cisplatin compared with cisplatin or MMH treatments alone.     

Factors influencing the transfection efficiency of ultra low molecular weight chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles

The present work describes nanoparticles made of ultra low molecular weight chitosan (ULMWCh)/hyaluronic acid (HA) as novel potential carriers for gene delivery. Small and monodispersed nanoparticles with high in vitro transfection capabilities have been obtained by the complexation of these two polyelectrolytes. ULMWCh (<10 kDa) presents more advantageous characteristics over the higher molecular weight chitosan for clinical applications, namely increased solubility at physiological pH and improved DNA release. The ULMWCh:HA ratio and the HA molecular weights were varied with the aim of obtaining particles in the 100 nm range. Using chitosan (Ch) with a molecular weight of 5 kDa, HA with a molecular weight of 64 kDa, and a weight ratio of 4:1, nanoparticles with a Z-average size of 146 ± 1 nm and narrow size distribution (polydispersity index: 0.073 ± 0.030) were obtained. Nanoparticle images taken in dry conditions by SEM and AFM showed spherical particles. The optimal pH for transfection ranged from 6.4 to 6.8 for 0.25 μg of EGFP plasmid per well, with an incubation time of 4 h. Using these optimized parameters, DNA/ULMWCh:HA nanoparticles successfully transfected 25 ± 1% of the 293T cells with pEGFP, compared to 0.7% obtained for DNA/ULMWCh under the same conditions. This high transfection efficiency of our non-viral gene delivery system could be attributed to the synergic effect of ULMWCh and low charge density of the HA chain for easy release of DNA which makes the system suitable for targeted gene delivery.     

Endocytotic uptake of iron oxide nanoparticles by cultured brain microglial cells

Microglia are the phagocytotic cells of the brain that respond rapidly to alterations in brain homeostasis. Since iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the brain, the consequences of an exposure of microglial cells to IONPs are of particular interest. To address this topic we have synthesized and characterized fluorescent BODIPY®-labelled IONPs (BP-IONPs). The average hydrodynamic diameter and the ζ-potential of BP-IONPs in water were ～65 nm and ?49 mV, respectively. Both values increased after dispersion of the particles in serum containing incubation medium to ～130 nm and ?8 mV. Exposure of cultured rat microglial cells with BP-IONPs caused a time-, concentration- and temperature-dependent uptake of the particles, as demonstrated by strong increases in cellular iron contents and cellular fluorescence. Incubation for 3 h with 150 and 450 μM iron as BP-IONPs increased the cellular iron content from a low basal level of ～50 nmol iron mg^?1 to 219 ± 52 and 481 ± 28 nmol iron (mg protein)^?1, respectively. These conditions did not affect cell viability, but exposure to higher concentrations of BP-IONPs or for longer incubation periods severely compromised cell viability. The BP-IONP fluorescence in viable microglial cells was co-localized with lysosomes. In addition, BP-IONP accumulation was lowered by 60% in the presence of the endocytosis inhibitors 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride, tyrphostin 23 and chlorpromazin. These results suggest that the rapid accumulation of BP-IONPs by microglial cells is predominantly mediated by macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which direct the accumulated particles into the lysosomal compartment.     

Size effect of amphiphilic poly(γ-glutamic acid) nanoparticles on cellular uptake and maturation of dendritic cells in vivo

We prepared size-regulated nanoparticles (NPs) composed of amphiphilic poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA). In this study, 40, 100 and 200 nm γ-PGA-graft-l-phenylalanine ethylester (γ-PGA-Phe) NPs were employed. The size of NPs significantly influenced the uptake and activation behaviors of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). When 40 nm γ-PGA-Phe NPs were applied to these cells in vitro, they were highly activated compared with 100 and 200 nm NPs, while cellular uptake was size dependent. The size of the γ-PGA-Phe NPs also significantly affected their migration to the lymph nodes and uptake behavior of NPs by dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo. The 40 nm γ-PGA-Phe NPs migrated more rapidly to the lymph nodes and were taken up by a greater number of DCs compared with 100 and 200 nm NPs. On the other hand, when the amount of γ-PGA-Phe NPs taken up per DC was evaluated, it was higher for 100 and 200 nm NPs than for 40 nm NPs, which suggests that the larger γ-PGA-Phe NPs can deliver a large amount of antigen to a single DC compared with smaller NPs. Furthermore, when examined the maturation of DCs in lymph nodes, 40 nm γ-PGA-Phe NPs efficiently stimulated DCs. These results suggest that the activation, uptake behavior by APCs, migration to lymph nodes, and DC maturation can be controlled by the size of γ-PGA-Phe NPs.     

Fluorescent non-porous silica nanoparticles for long-term cell monitoring: Cytotoxicity and particle functionality

Inorganic nanoparticles such as silica particles offer many exciting possibilities for biomedical applications. However, the possible toxicity of these particles remains an issue of debate that seriously impedes their full exploitation. In the present work, commercially available fluorescent silica nanoparticles 25, 45 and 75 nm in diameter optimized for cell labelling (C-Spec® particles) are evaluated with regard to their effects on cultured cells using a novel multiparametric setup. The particles show clear concentration and size-dependent effects, where toxicity is caused by the number and total surface area of cell-associated particles. Cell-associated particles generate a short burst of oxidative stress that, next to inducing cell death, affects cell signalling and impedes cell functionality. For cell labelling purposes, 45 nm diameter silica particles were found to be optimally suited and no adverse effects were noticeable at concentrations of 50 μg ml^?1 or below. At this safe concentration, the particles were found to still allow fluorescence tracking of cultured cells over longer time periods. In conclusion, the data shown here provide a suitable concentration of silica particles for fluorescent cell labelling and demonstrate that at safe levels, silica particles remain perfectly suitable for fluorescent cell studies.     

Nanoparticle release from dental composites

Dental composites typically contain high amounts (up to 60 vol.%) of nanosized filler particles. There is a current concern that dental personnel (and patients) may inhale nanosized dust particles (<100 nm) during abrasive procedures to shape, finish or remove restorations but, so far, whether airborne nanoparticles are released has never been investigated. In this study, composite dust was analyzed in real work conditions. Exposure measurements of dust in a dental clinic revealed high peak concentrations of nanoparticles in the breathing zone of both dentist and patient, especially during aesthetic treatments or treatments of worn teeth with composite build-ups. Further laboratory assessment confirmed that all tested composites released very high concentrations of airborne particles in the nanorange (>10⁶ cm⁻³). The median diameter of airborne composite dust varied between 38 and 70 nm. Electron microscopic and energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the airborne particles originated from the composite, and revealed that the dust particles consisted of filler particles or resin or both. Though composite dust exhibited no significant oxidative reactivity, more toxicological research is needed. To conclude, on manipulation with the bur, dental composites release high concentrations of nanoparticles that may enter deeply into the lungs.     

Short-chain PEG molecules strongly bound to magnetic nanoparticle for MRI long circulating agents

This study developed an approach for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles coated with three different polyethylene glycol (PEG)-derived molecules. The influence of the coating on different properties of the nanoparticles was studied. Magnetite nanoparticles (7 and 12 nm in diameter) were obtained via thermal decomposition of a coordination complex as an iron precursor to ensure nanoparticle homogeneity in size and shape. Particles were first coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid by a ligand exchange process to remove oleic acid, followed by modification with three distinct short-chain PEG polymers, which were covalently bound to the nanoparticle surface via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride activation of the carboxylic acids. In all cases, colloidal suspensions had hydrodynamic sizes <100 nm and low surface charge, demonstrating the effect of PEG coating on the aggregation properties and steric stabilization of the magnetic nanoparticles. The internalization and biocompatibility of these materials in the HeLa human cervical carcinoma cell line were tested. Cells preincubated with PEG-coated iron nanoparticles were visualized outside the cells, and their biocompatibility at high Fe concentrations was demonstrated using a standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Finally, relaxivity parameters (r₁ and r₂) were used to evaluate the efficiency of suspensions as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents; the r₂ value was similar to that for Resovist and up to four times higher than that for Sinerem, probably due to the larger nanoparticle size. The time of residence in blood of the nanoparticles measured from the relaxivity values, and the Fe content in blood was doubled for rats and rabbits due to the PEG on the nanoparticle surface. The results suggest that this PEGylation strategy for large magnetic nanoparticles (>10 nm) holds promise for biomedical applications.     

Core–shell molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles with assistant recognition polymer chains for effective recognition and enrichment of natural low-abundance protein

Core–shell molecular imprinting of nanomaterials overcomes difficulties with template transfer and achieves higher binding capacities for macromolecular imprinting, which are more important to the imprinting of natural low-abundance proteins from cell extracts. In the present study, a novel strategy of preparing core–shell nanostructured molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed that combined the core–shell approach with assistant recognition polymer chains (ARPCs). Vinyl-modified silica nanoparticles were used as support and ARPCs were used as additional functional monomers. Immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was chosen as the model protein. The cloned template protein BiP was selectively assembled with ARPCs from their library, which contained numerous limited-length polymer chains with randomly distributed recognition and immobilization sites. The resulting complex was copolymerized onto the surface of vinyl-modified silica nanoparticles under low concentrations of the monomers. After template removal, core–shell-structured nanoparticles with a thin imprinted polymer layer were produced. The particles demonstrated considerably high adsorption capacity, fast adsorption kinetics and selective binding affinities toward the template BiP. Furthermore, the synthesized MIP nanoparticles successfully isolated cloned protein BiP from protein mixtures and highly enriched BiP from an ER extract containing thousands of kinds of proteins. The enrichment reached 115-fold and the binding capacity was 5.4 μg g⁻¹, which were higher than those achieved by using traditional MIP microspheres. The advantageous properties of MIP nanoparticles hold promise for further practical applications in biology, such as protein analysis and purification.     

Effect of hydroxyapatite on the biodegradation and biomechanical stability of polyester nanocomposites for orthopaedic applications

The effect of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the performance of nanocomposites of an unsaturated polyester, i.e., hydroxy-terminated high molecular weight poly(proplyene fumarate) (HT-PPFhm), was investigated. A thermoset nanocomposite was prepared with nanoparticles of calcined HAP (<100 nm, rod-like shape, filler content 30 wt.%), HT-PPFhm and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, dibenzoyl peroxide and N,N-dimethyl aniline. Two more nanocomposites were prepared with precipitated HAP nanoparticles (<100 nm rod-like shape) and commercially available HAP nanoparticles (<200 nm spherical shape), respectively. Calcined HAP nanoparticles resulted in very good crosslinking in the resin matrix with high crosslinking density and interfacial bonding with the polymer, owing to the rod-like shape of the nanoparticles; this gave improved biomechanical strength and modulus and also controlled degradation of the nanocomposite for scaffold formation. The tissue compatibility and osteocompatibility of the nanocomposite containing calcined HAP nanoparticles was evaluated. The tissue compatibility was studied by intramuscular implantation in a rabbit animal model for 3 months as per ISO standard 10993/6. The in vivo femoral bone repair was also carried out in the rabbit animal model as per ISO standard 10993/6. The nanocomposite containing calcined HAP nanoparticles is both biocompatible and osteocompatible.     

Poly(ethylene glycol) analogs grafted with low molecular weight poly(ethylene imine) as non-viral gene vectors

A novel class of non-viral gene vectors consisting of low molecular weight poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) (molecular weight 800 Da) grafted onto degradable linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) analogs was synthesized. First, a Michael addition reaction between poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates (PEGDA) (molecular weight 258 Da) and d,l-dithiothreitol (DTT) was carried out to generate a linear polymer (PEG–DTT) having a terminal thiol, methacrylate and pendant hydroxyl functional groups. Five PEG–DTT analogs were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of diacrylates to thiols from 1.2:1 to 1:1.2. Then PEI (800 Da) was grafted onto the main chain of the PEG–DTTs using 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole as the linker. The above reaction gave rise to a new class of non-viral gene vectors, (PEG–DTT)–g-PEI copolymers, which can effectively complex DNA to form nanoparticles. The molecular weights and structures of the copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The size of the nanoparticles was <200 nm and the surface charge of the nanoparticles, expressed as the zeta potential, was between +20 and +40 mV. Cytotoxicity assays showed that the copolymers exhibited much lower cytotoxicities than high molecular weight PEI (25 kDa). Transfection was performed in cultured HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7 and COS-7 cells. The copolymers showed higher transfection efficiencies than PEI (25 kDa) tested in four cell lines. The presence of serum (up to 30%) had no inhibitory effect on the transfection efficiency. These results indicate that this new class of non-viral gene vectors may be a promising gene carrier that is worth further investigation.     

Silica–collagen bionanocomposites as three-dimensional scaffolds for fibroblast immobilization

Silica–collagen bionanocomposite hydrogels were obtained by addition of silica nanoparticles to a protein suspension followed by neutralization. Electron microscopy studies indicated that larger silica nanoparticles (80 nm) do not interact strongly with collagen, whereas smaller ones (12 nm) form rosaries along the protein fibers. However, the composite network structurally evolved with time due to the contraction of the cells and the dissolution of the silica nanoparticles. When compared to classical collagen hydrogels, these bionanocomposite materials showed lower surface contraction in the short term (1 week) and higher viability of entrapped cells in the long term (3 weeks). A low level of gelatinase MMP2 enzyme expression was also found after this period. Several proteins involved in the catabolic and anabolic activity of the cells could also be observed by immunodetection techniques. All these data suggest that the bionanocomposite matrices constitute a suitable environment for fibroblast adhesion, proliferation and biological activity and therefore constitute an original three-dimensional environment for in vitro cell culture and in vivo applications, in particular as biological dressings.     

The role of doxorubicin in non-viral gene transfer in the lung

Proteasome inhibitors have been shown to increase adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated transduction in vitro and in vivo. To assess if proteasome inhibitors also increase lipid-mediated gene transfer with relevance to cystic fibrosis (CF), we first assessed the effects of doxorubicin and N-acetyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinal-l-norleucinal in non-CF (A549) and CF (CFTE29o-) airway epithelial cell lines. CFTE29o- cells did not show a response to Dox or LLnL; however, gene transfer in A549 cells increased in a dose-related fashion (p < 0.05), up to approximately 20-fold respectively at the optimal dose (no treatment: 9.3 × 10⁴ ± 1.5 × 10³, Dox: 1.6 × 10⁶ ± 2.6 × 10⁵, LLnL: 1.9 × 10⁶ ± 3.2 × 10⁵ RLU/mg protein). As Dox is used clinically in cancer chemotherapy we next assessed the effect of this drug on non-viral lung gene transfer in vivo. CF knockout mice were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with Dox (25–100 mg/kg) immediately before nebulisation with plasmid DNA carrying a luciferase reporter gene under the control of a CMV promoter/enhancer (pCIKLux) complexed to the cationic lipid GL67A. Dox also significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of a plasmid regulated by an elongation factor 1α promoter (hCEFI) approximately 8-fold. Although administration of Dox before lung gene transfer may not be a clinically viable option, understanding how Dox increases lung gene expression may help to shed light on intracellular bottle-necks to gene transfer, and may help to identify other adjuncts that may be more appropriate for use in man.     

Mechanism of the uptake of cationic and anionic calcium phosphate nanoparticles by cells

The uptake of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (diameter 120 nm) with different charge by HeLa cells was studied by flow cytometry. The amount of uptaken nanoparticles increased with increasing concentration of nanoparticles in the cell culture medium. Several inhibitors of endocytosis and macropinocytosis were applied to elucidate the uptake mechanism of nanoparticles into HeLa cells: wortmannin, LY294002, nocodazole, chlorpromazine and nystatin. Wortmannin and LY294002 strongly reduced the uptake of anionic nanoparticles, which indicates macropinocytosis as uptake mechanism. For cationic nanoparticles, the uptake was reduced to a lesser extent, indicating a different uptake mechanism. The localization of nanoparticles inside the cells was investigated by conjugating them with the pH-sensitive dye SNARF-1. The nanoparticles were localized in lysosomes after 3 h of incubation.     

Growth kinetics of hexagonal sub-micrometric β-tricalcium phosphate particles in ethylene glycol

Recently, uniform, non-agglomerated, hexagonal β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) platelets (diameter ≈ 400–1700 nm, h ≈ 100–200 nm) were obtained at fairly moderate temperatures (90–170 °C) by precipitation in ethylene glycol. Unfortunately, the platelet aspect ratios (diameter/thickness) obtained in the latter study were too small to optimize the strength of polymer–β-TCP composites. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate β-TCP platelet crystallization kinetics, and based on this, to find ways to better control the β-TCP aspect ratio. For that purpose, precipitations were performed at different temperatures (90–170 °C) and precursor concentrations (4, 16 and 32 mM). Solution aliquots were retrieved at regular intervals (10 s–24 h), and the size of the particles was measured on scanning electron microscopy images, hence allowing the determination of the particle growth rates. The β-TCP platelets were observed to nucleate and grow very rapidly. For example, the first crystals were observed after 30 s at 150 °C, and crystallization was complete within 2 min. The crystal growth curves could be well-fitted with both diffusion- and reaction-controlled equations, but the high activation energies (∼100 kJ mol⁻¹) pointed towards a reaction-controlled mechanism. The results revealed that the best way to increase the diameter and aspect ratio of the platelets was to increase the precursor concentration. Aspect ratios as high as 14 were obtained, but the synthesis of such particles was always associated with the presence of large fractions of monetite impurities.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel coatings for improving electrode–neural tissue interface

A major problem which hinders the applications of neural prostheses is the inconsistent performance caused by tissue responses during long-term implantation. The study investigated a new approach for improving the electrode–neural tissue interface. Hydrogel poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating polymer networks (PVA/PAA IPNs) were synthesized and tailored as coatings for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) based neural electrodes with the aid of plasma pretreatment. Changes in the electrochemical impedance and maximum charge injection (Q_inj) limits of the coated iridium oxide microelectrodes were negligible. Protein adsorption on PDMS was reduced by ～85% after coating. In the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), neurite extension of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells was clearly greater on PVA/PAA IPN films than on PDMS substrates. Furthermore, the tissue responses of PDMS implants coated with PVA/PAA IPN films were studied by 6-week implantation in the cortex of rats, which found that the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in animals (n = 8) receiving coated implants was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to that of uncoated implants (n = 7) along the entire distance of 150 μm from the outer skirt to the implant interface. The coated film remained on the surface of the explanted implants, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All of these suggest the hydrogel coating is feasible and favorable to neural electrode applications.     

Superparamagnetic maghemite nanoparticles from solid-state synthesis – Their functionalization towards peroral MRI contrast agent and magnetic carrier for trypsin immobilization

Nearly monodispersed superparamagnetic maghemite nanoparticles (15–20 nm) were prepared by a one-step thermal decomposition of iron(II) acetate in air at 400 °C. The presented synthetic route is simple, cost effective and allows to prepare the high-quality superparamagnetic particles in a large scale. The as-prepared particles were exploited for the development of magnetic nanocomposites with the possible applicability in medicine and biochemistry. For the purposes of the MRI diagnostics, the maghemite particles were simply dispersed in the bentonite matrix. The resulting nanocomposite represents very effective and cheap oral negative contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract and reveals excellent contrast properties, fully comparable with those obtained for commercial contrast material. The results of the clinical research of this maghemite–bentonite contrast agent for imaging of the small bowel are discussed. For biochemical applications, the primary functionalization of the prepared maghemite nanoparticles with chitosan was performed. In this way, a highly efficient magnetic carrier for protein immobilization was obtained as demonstrated by conjugating thermostable raffinose-modified trypsin (RMT) using glutaraldehyde. The covalent conjugation resulted in a further increase in trypsin thermostability (T₅₀ = 61 °C) and elimination of its autolysis. Consequently, the immobilization of RMT allowed fast in-solution digestion of proteins and their identification by MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry.     

Magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated into biodegradable microparticles steered with an upgraded magnetic resonance imaging system for tumor chemoembolization

In this work, therapeutic magnetic micro carriers (TMMC) guided in real time by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are proposed as a mean to improve drug delivery to tumor sites. MRI steering constraints and physiological parameters for the chemoembolization of liver tumors were taken into account to design magnetic iron–cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated into biodegradable poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with the appropriate saturation magnetization (M_s). FeCo nanoparticles displayed a diameter of 182 nm and an M_s of 209 emu g^?1. They were coated with a multilayered graphite shell to minimize the reduction of M_s during the encapsulation steps. FeCo–PLGA microparticles, with a mean diameter of 58 μm and an M_s of 61 emu g^?1, were steered in a phantom mimicking the hepatic artery and its bifurcation, with a flow in the same order of magnitude as that of the hepatic artery flow. The steering efficiency, defined as the amount of FeCo–PLGA microparticles in the targeted bifurcation channel divided by the total amount of FeCo–PLGA microparticles injected, reached 86%. The data presented in this paper confirms the feasibility of the steering of these TMMC.     

Manganese ferrite nanoparticle micellar nanocomposites as MRI contrast agent for liver imaging

Iron oxide nanoparticles are effective contrast agents for enhancement of magnetic resonance imaging at tissue, cellular or even molecular levels. In this study, manganese doped superparamagnetic iron oxide (Mn-SPIO) nanoparticles were used to form ultrasensitive MRI contrast agents for liver imaging. Hydrophobic Mn-SPIO nanoparticles are synthesized in organic phase and then transferred into water with the help of block copolymer mPEG-b-PCL. These Mn-SPIO nanoparticles are self-assembled into small clusters (mean diameter ≈ 80 nm) inside micelles as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Mn-SPIO nanoparticles inside micelles decrease PCL crystallization temperatures, as verified from differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Mn-SPIO based nanocomposites are superparamagnetic at room temperature. At the magnetic field of 1.5 T, Mn-SPIO nanoparticle clustering micelles have a T₂ relaxivity of 270 (Mn + Fe) mM^?1 s^?1, which is much higher than single Mn-SPIO nanoparticle containing lipid–PEG micelles. This clustered nanocomposite has brought significant liver contrast with signal intensity changes of ?80% at 5 min after intravenous administration. The time window for enhanced-MRI can last about 36 h with obvious contrast on liver images. This sensitive MRI contrast agent may find applications in identification of small liver lesions, evaluation of the degree of liver cirrhosis, and differential diagnosis of other liver diseases.     

Multi-functional P(3HB) microsphere/45S5 Bioglass®-based composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Novel multi-functional P(3HB) microsphere/45S5 Bioglass®-based composite scaffolds exhibiting potential for drug delivery were developed for bone tissue engineering. 45S5 Bioglass®-based glass–ceramic scaffolds of high interconnected porosity produced using the foam-replication technique were coated with biodegradable microspheres (size < 2 μm) made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), produced using Bacillus cereus SPV. A solid-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation technique was used to produce these P(3HB) microspheres. A simple slurry-dipping method, using a 1 wt.% suspension of P(3HB) microspheres in water, dispersed by an ultrasonic bath, was used to coat the scaffold, producing a uniform microsphere coating throughout the three-dimensional scaffold structure. Compressive strength tests confirmed that the microsphere coating slightly enhanced the scaffold mechanical strength. It was also confirmed that the microsphere coating did not inhibit the bioactivity of the scaffold when immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for up to 4 weeks. The hydroxyapatite (HA) growth rate on P(3HB) microsphere-coated 45S5 Bioglass® composite scaffolds was very similar to that on the uncoated control sample, qualitatively indicating similar bioactivity. However, the surface topography of the HA surface layer was affected as shown by results obtained from white light interferometry. The roughness of the surface was much higher for the P(3HB) microsphere-coated scaffolds than for the uncoated samples, after 7 days in SBF. This feature would facilitate cell attachment and proliferation. Finally, gentamycin was successfully encapsulated into the P(3HB) microspheres to demonstrate the drug delivery capability of the scaffolds. Gentamycin release kinetics was determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The release of the drug from the coated composite scaffolds was slow and controlled when compared to the observed fast and relatively uncontrolled drug release from the bone scaffold (without microsphere coating). Thus, this unique multifunctional bioactive composite scaffold has the potential to enhance cell attachment and to provide controlled delivery of relevant drugs for bone tissue engineering.     

In vivo corrosion and corrosion protection of magnesium alloy LAE442

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the extruded magnesium alloy LAE442 reacts in vivo with an appropriate host response and to investigate how an additional magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) coating influences the in vivo corrosion rate. Forty cylinders were machined from extruded LAE442 and 20 of these were coated additionally with MgF₂ and implanted into the medial femur condyle of adult rabbits. Synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray computed micro-tomography (SRμCT) was used to quantitatively analyse corrosion non-destructively in vivo and comparisons were made to magnesium degradation rates based on area measurements of the remaining metal on uncalcified sections. Blood concentrations of the alloying elements were measured below toxicological limits. The MgF₂ layer was no longer detected after 4 weeks of implantation by particle-induced gamma emission, and the MgF₂ coating reduced the blood content of alloying elements during the first 6 weeks of implantation with no elevated fluoride concentration in the adjacent bone. Histopathological examinations of liver showed in 9 out of 40 cases minimal infiltrations of heterophil granulocytes of unknown origin (5 LAE442, 4 LAE442 + MgF₂). The kidneys were mainly regular in structure. The synovial tissue showed a granular cell infiltration as a temporary observation in the LAE442 + MgF₂ group after 2 weeks. No subcutaneous gas cavities were observed clinically and on postoperative X-rays in all animals. All specimens were scanned by SRμCT at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively before uncalcified sections were performed. All magnesium implants have been observed in direct bone contact and without a fibrous capsule. Localized pitting corrosion occurred in coated and uncoated magnesium implants. This study shows that the extruded magnesium alloy LAE442 provides low corrosion rates and reacts in vivo with an acceptable host response. The in vivo corrosion rate can be further reduced by additional MgF₂ coating.