Background: This study investigated the influence of synthetic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) on dendritic cells and provides a possible method for labeling these cells.
Methods: SPIO nanoparticles were prepared, and their morphology and magnetic properties were characterized. The particles were endocytosed by dendritic cells generated from mouse bone marrow. Labeling efficiency and cellular uptake were analyzed by Prussian blue staining and quantitative spectrophotometric assay. Meanwhile, the surface molecules, cellular apoptosis, and functional properties of the SPIO-labeled dendritic cells were explored by flow cytometry and the mixed lymphocyte reaction assay.
Results: The synthetic nanoparticles possessed a spherical shape and good superparamagnetic behavior. The mean concentration of iron in immature and mature dendritic cells was 31.8 ± 0.7 μg and 35.6 ± 1.0 μg per 1 × 10(6) cells, respectively. After 12 hours of incubation with SPIO at a concentration of 25 μg/mL, nearly all cells were shown to contain iron. Interestingly, cellular apoptosis and surface expression of CD80, CD86, major histocompatibility II, and chemokine receptor 7 in mature dendritic cells were not affected to any significant extent by SPIO labeling. T cell activation was maintained at a low ratio of dendritic cells to T cells.
Conclusion: SPIO nanoparticles have good superparamagnetic behavior, highly biocompatible characteristics, and are suitable for use in further study of the migratory behavior and biodistribution of dendritic cells in vivo.
Keywords: cell labeling; dendritic cell; superparamagnetic iron oxide.