Abstract:Highly biocompatible superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by amide of folic acid (FA) ligands and the NH₂-group onto the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The as-synthesized folate-conjugated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, FT-IR spectrometer, vibrating sample magnetometer, and dynamic light scattering instrument. The in vivo labeling effect of folate-conjugated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on the hepatoma cells was investigated in tumor-bearing rat. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared nanoparticles have cubic structure of Fe₃O₄ with a particle size of about 8 nm and hydrated diameter of 25.7 nm at a saturation magnetization of 51 A·m²/kg. These nanoparticles possess good physiological stability, low cytotoxicity on human skin fibroblasts and negligible effect on Wistar rats at the concentration as high as 3 mg/kg body mass. The folate-conjugated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could be effectively mediated into the human hepatoma Bel 7402 cells through the binding of folate and folic acid receptor, enhancing the signal contrast of tumor tissue and surrounding normal tissue in MRI imaging. It is in favor of the tumor cells labeling, tracing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) target detection and magnetic hyperthermia.

Key words: Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles; superparamagnetic property; folic acid; tumor; conjugation; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); cell labeling