Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Modified with Tween 80 Pass through the Intact Blood–Brain Barrier in Rats under Magnetic Field

The methods for the delivery of theranostic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are highly required. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)), PEI (poly(ethylene imine)), and Tween 80 (polysorbate 80) (Tween-SPIONs) were prepared. We demonstrate the effective passage of tail-vein-injected Tween-SPIONs across normal BBB in rats under an external magnetic field (EMF). The quantitative analyses show significant accumulation of SPIONs in the cortex near the magnet, with progressively lower accumulation in brain tissues far from the magnet. A transmission electron microscopy picture of an ultrathin section of the rat brain displays Tween-SPIONs crossing the BBB. The comparative study confirms that both the Tween-80 modification and EMF play crucial roles in the effective passage of SPIONs across the intact BBB. However, the magnetic force alone cannot drag the SPIONs coated with PEI/PEG polymers through the BBB. The results indicate the Tween-SPIONs cross the BBB via an active penetration facilitated by EMF. This work is encouraging for further study on the delivery of drug or diagnostic agents into the parenchyma of the brain for dealing with neurological disorders by using Tween-SPIONs carriers under EMF.