Targeted delivery of erythropoietin combined with nanoparticles under magnetic guidance

Authors conducted this proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the targeted delivery of erythropoietin (EPO) using magnetically guided magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The MNPs consisting of a ferric-ferrous mixture were prepared via co-precipitation. The drug delivery system (DDS) was manufactured via spray-drying using a nanospray-dryer. The DDS comprised 7.5 mg sodium alginate, 150 mg MNPs, and 1000 IU EPO. As the results, scanning electron microscopy showed DDS particles < 500 nm in size. DDS particles had rough surfaces covered with tiny particles composed of MNPs and/or EPO, whereas alginate particles had smooth surfaces. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of the DDS revealed peaks characteristic of MNPs and of alginate. A microchannel with one inlet and two outlets was made by soft lithography, and DDS particles containing fluorescent beads were injected into the inlet. The fluorescent DDS particles reached only one outlet reservoir in the presence of a neodymium magnet. For neurotoxicity conformation, it was evaluated by treating SH-SY5Y cells with a solution containing sodium alginate, MNPs, or sodium alginate + MNPs. Cell viability after MNP treatment was 93%, and viability after sodium alginate + MNP treatment was 94%, compared with the control (p < 0.01). As for one of the neuroprotective tools in the future, the DDS-EPO construct developed here can be guided using magnetic control without significant neurotoxicity.