Exploring the in-vitro evaluation of folic acid-modified gadolinium nanoparticles in HEK-293, HeLa, and KB cancer cells for targeted-MR-imaging agent candidate.

Folic acid (FA)-modified gadolinium nanoparticles are promising candidates for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents due to their high cancer specificity. Therefore, this study aims to modify nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-FA to enhance their biocompatibility and specificity toward cervical cancer target via folate receptor (FR)-mediated endocytosis. Spherical nanoparticles less than 20 nm were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, with UV absorbance peaks at 282 and 362 nm confirming the successful attachment of FA. Additionally, the zeta potential at - 51.23 mV indicated good colloidal stability. Subsequently, an in vitro investigation was performed using three different FA-expressing cancer cell lines: HEK-293 (-), HeLa ( +), and KB (+ +), demonstrating that the cancer cells remained > 90% viable after 24 h incubation with the nanoparticles. There was enhanced FA-nanoparticle uptake in HeLa and KB, with minimal uptake in HEK-293 cells. In addition, FA pretreatment reduced uptake, confirming the receptor specificity. Compared to nanoparticles without modification, modified nanoparticles showed a significant increase in uptake in cancer cells expressing the FA receptor (p < 0.0001). These results support the potential of FA-modified gadolinium nanoparticles as a receptor-targeted contrast agent for further cervical cancer MR imaging applications.