A Modified PEG-Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Conjugated with D(+)Glucosamine (DG): MRI Contrast Agent

Molecular imaging (MI) can provide not only structural images utilizing temporal imaging techniques, but also functional and molecular data using a variety of newly developed imaging techniques. Nanotechnology's application in MI has commanded a lot of attention in recent decades, and it has provided tremendous potential for imaging living subjects. In this study, D-glucosamine conjugated functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs) were prepared and studied as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. To evaluate their distribution, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is performed. Fe3O4 NPs are made using a well-known co-precipitation process and subsequently coated with PEG 3450. Fe3O4-PEG NPs were coupled to D-glucosamine to specifically target breast cancer cells. The resulted modified NPs were characterized by XRD, VSM, FESEM, and FTIR analysis. Moreover, the prepared contrast agent was studied through different biological assays, including MTT assay, T2-weighted in vitro MRI, and biodistribution analysis. Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs particle size and zeta potential were 98 nm and - 7.5 mV, respectively. Cytotoxicity was performed on normal human kidney (HEK-293) cells due to their high sensitivity to MRI contrast agents; Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs had a very slight toxicity effect on these cells and cell viability was more than 75%. MRI images of Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs show these NPs significantly reduce the signal intensity and increase the contrast. Animal studies show Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs tend to be highly sensitive to tissues with active metabolisms, such as the gastrointestinal tract. These nanoparticles can be a suitable MRI contrast agent and improve the quality of MRI images.

Automated summary

This study prepared functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-PEG-DG NPs) conjugated with D-glucosamine as MRI contrast agents. The nanoparticles were characterized and evaluated through various biological assays, showing good contrast in MRI images and suggesting their potential as suitable MRI contrast agents.