Protease-Mediated T₁ Contrast Enhancement of Multilayered Magneto-Gadolinium Nanostructures for Imaging and Magnetic Hyperthermia

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this work, we constructed a multifunctional composite nanostructure for combined magnetic hyperthermia therapy and magnetic resonance imaging based on T 1 and T 2 signals. First, iron oxide nanocubes with a benchmark heating efficiency for magnetic hyperthermia were assembled within an amphiphilic polymer to form magnetic nanobeads. Next, poly(acrylic acid)-coated inorganic sodium gadolinium fluoride nanoparticles were electrostatically loaded onto the magnetic nanobead surface via a layer-by-layer approach by employing a positively charged enzymatic-cleavable biopolymer. The positive–negative multilayering process was validated through the changes occurring in surface ζ-potential values and structural characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. These nanostructures exhibit an efficient heating profile, in terms of the specific absorption rates under clinically accepted magnetic field conditions. The addition of protease enzyme mediates the degradation of the surface layers of the nanostructures with the detachment of gadolinium nanoparticles from the magnetic beads and exposure to the aqueous environment. Such a process is associated with changes in the T 1 relaxation time and contrast and a parallel decrease in the T 2 signal. These structures are also nontoxic when tested on glioblastoma tumor cells up to a maximum gadolinium dose of 125 μg mL –1, which also corresponds to a iron dose of 52 μg mL –1 . Nontoxic nanostructures with such enzyme-triggered release mechanisms and T 1 signal enhancement are desirable for tracking tumor microenvironment release with remote T 1 -guidance and magnetic hyperthermia therapy actuation to be done at the diseased site upon verification of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided release.