Fabrication of Fe3O4@PVA microspheres by one-step electrospray for magnetic resonance imaging during transcatheter arterial embolization

Jiaojiao Li; Jihua Wang; Jianye Li; Xin Yang; Jiangling Wan; Chuansheng Zheng; Qing Du; Guofeng Zhou; Xiangliang Yang

doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.006

Fabrication of Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres by one-step electrospray for magnetic resonance imaging during transcatheter arterial embolization

Acta Biomater. 2021 Sep 1:131:532-543. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.006. Epub 2021 Jul 7.

Authors

Jiaojiao Li¹, Jihua Wang², Jianye Li¹, Xin Yang¹, Jiangling Wan¹, Chuansheng Zheng², Qing Du³, Guofeng Zhou⁴, Xiangliang Yang⁵

Affiliations

¹ National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, China.
² Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
³ National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: qing_du@hust.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: zhouguofeng69@126.com.
⁵ National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: yangxl@mail.hust.edu.cn.

PMID: 34245893
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.006

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has attracted increasing attention as a feasible alternative or adjunctive imaging modality for X-ray digital subtraction angiography because of the high tissue resolution and non-ionization radiation. In this study, a one-step electrospray method was developed to fabricate PVA microspheres encapsulated with in situ synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres were mono-dispersed black spheres with a wide range of sizes (262-958 µm). The in situ-synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were used as the contrast agent of MRI and the cross-linkers of PVA matrixes for the embolization purpose. In vivo evaluation of renal arteries of normal rabbits showed that Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres had good embolic effect and enhanced capability of MRI. In vitro and in vivo biosafety assessment confirmed that Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres had favorable biocompatibility. The DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres showed a typical drug-sustained release profile. These results suggest that the prepared DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres have the function of MRI, embolotherapy and chemotherapy. We expect our study could provide a simple and useful approach for the systematic design, fabrication, and application of a new type of magnetic microspheres as a triple-functional embolic agent for the development of MRI-guided TACE. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the low tissue resolution and hazardous ionization radiation of X-ray digital subtraction angiography, it is beneficial to study MR imaging embolic microspheres for the development of MRI-guided TACE. In this study, a one-step electrospray method was firstly developed to fabricate PVA microspheres encapsulated with in situ synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Then, chemotherapeutic agent (DOX), contrast media of MRI (Fe₃O₄) and embolic agent (PVA matrix) were combined together in one body (DOX-loaded Fe₃O₄@PVA microspheres) to achieve the triple effects of chemotherapy, MR imaging and embolization. This triple-functional embolic agent offers potential for the future development of MRI-guided TACE.

Keywords: Doxorubicin hydrochloride; Electrospray; Fe(3)O(4)@PVA microspheres; MRI; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Contrast Media
Embolization, Therapeutic*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Microspheres
Nanoparticles*
Rabbits

Substances

Contrast Media