Comparison of different uncoated and starch-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: Implications for stem cell tracking

[Display omitted] However, labelling of stem cells using nanoparticles (NPs) for tracking purpose has been intensively investigated, the biosafety of these materials needs more clarification. Herein, different forms of iron oxide Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and CoxNi1−x Fe2O4 NPs either uncoated or starch-coated (ST-coated) were prepared. We successfully labelled adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) using these NPs with the aid of lipofectamine as a transfection agent (TA). We then evaluated the effect of these NPs on stem cell proliferation, viability, migration and angiogenesis. Results showed that ASCs labelled with Fe2O3, Fe3O4, ST-Fe2O3 and ST-Fe3O4 did not show any significant difference in proliferation compared to that of TA-treated cells. Moreover, they have shown a protective effect against apoptosis. Conversely, CoxNi1−x Fe2O4 NPs caused a significant decrease in cell proliferation. Compared to that of the TA-treated cells, the migration capacity of cells labelled with Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and CoxNi1−xFe2O4 was significantly compromised. Interestingly, the ST-coated composites reversed this effect. Among the groups treated with different NPs, the angiogenic potential of the ASCs was most robust in the ST-Fe2O3-treated group. In conclusion, labelling ASCs with ST-Fe2O3 NPs enhanced cell migration and angiogenic potential and conferred higher resistance to apoptosis than labelling the cells with the other tested NPs.