Macrophage physiological function after superparamagnetic iron oxide labeling

Our goal was to analyze the changes in morphology and physiological function (phagocytosis, migratory capabilities, humoral and cellular response, and nitric oxide secretion) of murine macrophages after labeling with a clinically used superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO), ferucarbotran. In SPIO-treated macrophages, nanoparticles were taken up in the cytoplasm and accumulated in a membrane-bound organelle. Macrophage proliferation and viability were not modified after SPIO labeling. Phagocytic function decreased after labeling with only 10 mu g Fe/mL SPIO, whereas other functions including migration and production of tumor necrosis factor-a and nitric oxide increased at the highest SPIO concentration (100 mu g Fe/mL). Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons. Ltd.