Influence of Surface Charge and Polymer Coating on Internalization and Biodistribution of Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the surface charge and coating of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) on their in vitro and in vivo behaviors. Neutral and negatively-charged PEG-based SPIONs were synthesized and compared to Resovist (R), a carboxydextran-based SPION currently used in clinics. Their cytotoxicity, cell internalization, and potential as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging were assessed. Neutral pegylated SPIONs were internalized less readily by the reticuloendothelial system and showed a lower uptake by the liver, compared to negatively-charged SPIONs (with carboxydextran and PEG). These results suggested that the charge of functionalized SPIONs was more relevant for their biological interactions than the nature of their coating.