Biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles for in vitro labeling and in vivo locating specific biomolecules

In this work, we developed processes to biofunctionalize magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in phosphate buffer saline solution. For future clinical utility, magnetic nanoparticles were biofunctionalized with anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) to label the VCAM-1 molecule, which served as an indicator for the lesions prone to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque formation. The biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles were used to magnetically label, in vitro, cells expressing VCAM-1, as well as to locate the vulnerable aortic lesions of hypercholesterolemic rabbits with the aid of magnetic resonance imaging. In addition to demonstrating the feasibility of using biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles for biomolecule assays, the relevant physical mechanisms are discussed.