Biocompatibility and proteomic profiling of DMSA-coated iron nanocubes in a human glioblastoma cell line.

Background

Superparamagnetic iron core iron oxide shell nanocubes have previously shown superior performance in magnetic resonance imaging T2 contrast enhancement compared with spherical nanoparticles.

Methods

Iron core iron oxide shell nanocubes were synthesized, stabilized with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA-NC) and physicochemically characterized. MRI contrast enhancement and biocompatibility were assessed in vitro.

Results

DMSA-NC showed a transverse relaxivity of 122.59 mM-1·s-1 Fe. Treatment with DMSA-NC did not induce cytotoxicity or oxidative stress in U-251 cells, and electron microscopy demonstrated DMSA-NC localization within endosomes and lysosomes in cells following internalization. Global proteomics revealed dysregulation of iron storage, transport, transcription and mRNA processing proteins.

Conclusion

DMSA-NC is a promising T2 MRI contrast agent which, in this preliminary investigation, demonstrates favorable biocompatibility with an astrocyte cell model.