MNPs@SiO2(RITC) particles contain a cobalt ferrite core (CoFe2O3) sheathed by a silica shell that is chemically bonded to rhodamine isothiocyanate dye (RITC)49 (link). Silica NPs are identical to MNPs@SiO2(RITC) except that they lack a cobalt ferrite core and show similar tendencies with respect to their biological effects12 (link)50 (link). MNPs@SiO2(RITC) and silica NPs are 50 nm in diameter, and the size distribution and zeta-potential of both NPs have been previously reported49 (link)50 (link). A previous study indicated that approximately 105 particles of MNPs@SiO2(RITC) per cell were taken up in MCF-7 breast cancer cells as determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES)49 (link). The dosage used in this study was determined by treating HEK293 cells with MNPs@SiO2(RITC) at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 2.0 μg/μl for 12 h and calculating their uptake efficiencies using a fluorescent assessment method12 (link). The optimal concentration of MNPs@SiO2(RITC) was 0.1 μg/μl for in vitro use and as MRI contrast without toxicological effects in human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells3 (link). Disturbances of gene expression and metabolic profiles at this concentration were similar to those in control HEK293 cells12 (link). The uptake efficiency of MNPs@SiO2(RITC) plateaued at 1.0 μg/μl. Therefore, a low dose of 0.1 μg/μl and high dose of 1.0 μg/μl were used in the present study.
Full text: Click here