HER2 aptamer-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles with PDMAEMA-b-PMPC coating for breast cancer cell identification.

Aim: To synthesize HER2 aptamer-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles with a coating of poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-poly(2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine) block copolymer (IONPPPs). Methods: Characterization covered molecular structure, chemical composition, thermal stability, magnetic characteristics, aptamer interaction, crystalline nature and microscopic features. Subsequent investigations focused on IONPPPs for in vitro cancer cell identification. Results: Results demonstrated high biocompatibility of the diblock copolymer with no significant toxicity up to 150 µg/ml. The facile coating process yielded the IONPP complex, featuring a 13.27 nm metal core and a 3.10 nm polymer coating. Functionalized with a HER2-targeting DNA aptamer, IONPPP enhanced recognition in HER2-amplified SKBR3 cells via magnetization separation. Conclusion: These findings underscore IONPPP's potential in cancer research and clinical applications, showcasing diagnostic efficacy and HER2 protein targeting in a proof-of-concept approach.

Magnetic hydrogels for levodopa release and cell stimulation triggered by external magnetic field.

Magnetic responsive hydrogels composed of alginate (Alg) and xanthan gum (XG), crosslinked with Ca2+ ions, were modified by in situ magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) formation. In comparison to magnetic Alg hydrogels, magnetic Alg-XG hydrogels presented superior mechanical and swelling properties, due to the high charge density and molecular weight of XG. The loading efficiency of levodopa (LD), an important antiparkinson drug, in the Alg-XG/MNP hydrogels was the highest (64%), followed by Alg/MNP (56%), Alg-XG (53%) and Alg (28%). A static external magnetic field (EMF) of 0.4 T stimulated the release of LD from Alg-XG/MNP hydrogels achieving 64 ±â€¯6% of the initial loading after 30 h. The viability, proliferation and expression of dopaminergic markers of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell on the LD loaded magnetic hydrogels were successful, particularly under EMF, which stimulated the release of LD. Overall, the results of this study provided the rational design of magnetic hydrogels for the delivery of drugs, which combined with external magnetic stimulus, might improve cell proliferation and specific differentiation.