Functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles and the impact on reactive oxygen species generation for potential cancer treatment
Trang Mai, J. Zach Hilt
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506
Corresponding Author: zach.hilt@uky.edu
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation have attracted much attention in the last several years. It has been shown that IONPs can produce ROS, which play a major role in various cellular pathways, via Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions. Recent studies also show that alternating magnetic field (AMF) exposure can enhance the production of ROS by IONPs. At increased level, ROS can cause damages to proteins and other biological structures, lead to cellular apoptosis, and contribute to many diseases including cancer. The AMF-enhanced ROS could provide a potential strategy to exploit the elevated ROS stress for cancer therapy.
The aim of this work was to develop iron oxide nanoparticles based platforms with either small molecule or polymer coatings and to study impact of the coating on the surface reactivity of the particles. Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a co-precipitation process and coated with small molecules (e.g., citric acid, sodium phosphate, aminosilane, dopamine) or polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol)-based systems. Crystal and functional properties of the synthesized particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Hydrodynamic size was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) while the amount of coating was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). AMF heating ability was also demonstrated. Surface reactivity via ROS generation induced by the particles was evaluated using a methylene blue decolorization assay with hydrogen peroxide and AMF exposure for varying times.
See more of this Group/Topical: Sustainable Engineering Forum