Cationic Surface Modification Combined with Collagen Enhances the Stability and Delivery of Magnetosomes for Tumor Hyperthermia
Source abstract
Abstract
Magnetosomes (MTS), membrane-enclosed magnetic nanoparticles naturally biomineralized by magnetotactic bacteria, are promising materials for tumor hyperthermia owing to their good biocompatibility and heating efficiency. However, their application is limited by poor suspension stability and low injectability at high concentrations. This study aimed to enhance magnetosome stability and delivery performance through surface cationization combined with collagen matrix stabilization. The resulting cationic magnetosomes (CMTS) exhibited an increased positive charge on the outer membrane. Collagen, functioning as a negatively charged matrix under mildly alkaline conditions, effectively stabilized the cationic magnetosomes, forming CMTS–collagen aqueous suspensions (CMTS-Colas) that remained well-suspended for over 24 h and could be easily resuspended after 10 days of storage. Compared with native magnetosome suspensions, CMTS in collagen displayed smaller hydrodynamic diameters and significantly improved injectability through 26G and 31G fine needles. Under an alternating magnetic field, 2 mg/mL CMTS-Colas efficiently induced over 98% apoptosis in hepatoma cells after two treatment sessions and led to complete loss of cell viability after three sessions. These findings demonstrate that CMTS-Colas substantially improve the suspension stability and injectability of magnetosomes while maintaining strong hyperthermic efficacy, suggesting a promising strategy for stabilizing magnetosomes and potentially benefiting other charged, aggregation-prone magnetic biomaterials.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies · Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery · Cancer Research and Treatments
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Key Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Biological Resource Utilization, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biomedical Engineering Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
School of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264003, China
Funding
Special Plan for Major Scientific and Technological Innovation in Qingdao West Coast · Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shandong Province · International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences for Grand Challenges · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Major Project of Yantai City · Changchun Branch of Chinese Academy of Sciences – Changchun Science and Technology Bureau Municipal Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project
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