Bioactive magnetic near Infra-Red fluorescent core-shell iron oxide/human serum albumin nanoparticles for controlled release of growth factors for augmentation of human mesenchymal stem cell growth and differentiation

Itay Levy, Ifat Sher, Enav Corem-Salkmon, Ofra Ziv-Polat, Amilia Meir, Avraham J. Treves, Arnon Nagler, Ofra Kalter-Leibovici, Shlomo Margel, Ygal Rotenstreich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles (NPs) of sizes less than 50 nm are considered to be non-toxic, biodegradable and superparamagnetic. We have previously described the generation of IO NPs coated with Human Serum Albumin (HSA). HSA coating onto the IO NPs enables conjugation of the IO/HSA NPs to various biomolecules including proteins. Here we describe the preparation and characterization of narrow size distribution core-shell NIR fluorescent IO/HSA magnetic NPs conjugated covalently to Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) for biomedical applications. We examined the biological activity of the conjugated FGF2 on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). These multipotent cells can differentiate into bone, cartilage, hepatic, endothelial and neuronal cells and are being studied in clinical trials for treatment of various diseases. FGF2 enhances the proliferation of hBM-MSCs and promotes their differentiation toward neuronal, adipogenic and osteogenic lineages in vitro. Results: The NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Covalent conjugation of the FGF2 to the IO/HSA NPs significantly stabilized this growth factor against various enzymes and inhibitors existing in serum and in tissue cultures. IO/HSA NPs conjugated to FGF2 were internalized into hBM-MSCs via endocytosis as confirmed by flow cytometry analysis and Prussian Blue staining. Conjugated FGF2 enhanced the proliferation and clonal expansion capacity of hBM-MSCs, as well as their adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation to a higher extent compared with the free growth factor. Free and conjugated FGF2 promoted the expression of neuronal marker Microtubule-Associated Protein 2 (MAP2) to a similar extent, but conjugated FGF2 was more effective than free FGF2 in promoting the expression of astrocyte marker Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) in these cells. Conclusions: These results indicate that stabilization of FGF2 by conjugating the IO/HSA NPs can enhance the biological efficacy of FGF2 and its ability to promote hBM-MSC cell proliferation and trilineage differentiation. This new system may benefit future therapeutic use of hBM-MSCs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number34
JournalJournal of Nanobiotechnology
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 May 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Levy et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Claire and Amedee Maratier Institute for the Study of Blindness and Visual Disorders, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, and a grant from the Israeli Ministry of Trade and Industry KAMIN–Yeda Program (to YR). IS was partially supported by the Israeli Ministry of Absorption and Immigration. The supporting organizations had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

FundersFunder number
Claire and Amedee Maratier Institute for the Study of Blindness
Israeli Ministry of Absorption and Immigration
Israeli Ministry of Trade and Industry
Sackler Faculty of Medicine
Visual Disorders
Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • BM-MSCs
    • FGF2
    • IO/HSA NPs

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