All-in-One Target-Cell-Specific Magnetic Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Molecular Imaging and siRNA Delivery

摘要

There has been considerable interest in the development of a variety of functional inorganic nanoparticles that can be applied in biomedical technologies, including nanotherapeu-tics, diagnostics, biosensors, and medical imaging. Of particular significance is the use of magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cell and protein separation, heat generation, and magnetism-induced cellular mechanotransduction. The ease of the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and subsequent surface modifications to introduce additional therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities has enabled these systems to be employed as smart nanomedicines that incorporate combinations of different components. Various cell-specific targeting, imaging, and therapeutic functions can be incorporated into a single magnetic nanoparticle which is designed for simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic use, without losing the individual properties of each component.