Glioblastoma Cell Type-Specific Loading with Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) could support the traditional brain cancer (e.g., glioblastoma) therapy; however, the efficient cell loading remains a crucial point. We aimed to relate the impact of the in vitro setup conditions to the long-term MNP loading of different glioblastoma cell lines. For this reason, three human glioblastoma and one astrocyte primary cell cultures were incubated with two different MNP types and various concentrations for 1–3 days. The resulting cellular iron load and cytotoxicity was determined. We found that the time dependence of the cell loading was governed by a variable cell growth behavior in vitro, whereas the impact of the MNP concentration was mostly MNP type-dependent. The growth as well as the membrane integrity of the cancer cells was not remarkably affected, but in astrocytes, although the metabolic activity was altered in all cell types. Consequently, we stated that the cell behavior and a comprehensive in vitro setup are key challenges for a proper design of MNPs and their medical application.