Cell-specific cytotoxicity of dextran-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles

Cytotoxicity of dextran-hybridized magnetite nanoparticles which were prepared by a novel polyol method was evaluated by incubation with four different kinds of cells, including rat liver cells BRL 3A, renal cells NRK, astrocyte and periphery blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The study was designed not only to evaluate their cytotoxicity but also to reflect the interaction between nanoparticles and related cells in their circulation processes. By fluorescent-activated cell sorting technique, it was found that the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles is cell-specific. Under the concentrations in our study (0–128 mg/mL), the nanoparticles lead to the apoptosis of PBMC in a concentration-dependant manner, but have almost no influence on the other kinds of cells. TEM images demonstrate that the nanoparticles were endocytosed by BRL 3A, NRK and astrocyte, and result in the apoptosis of PBMC without the observation of the uptaking process. The results suggest that the related cells in nanoparticles cycling process should also be concerned for the cytotoxicity evaluation.