Development of Novel Magnetoliposomes Containing Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles Covered with Gold for Applications in Thermotherapy

Multifunctional nanosystems combining magnetic and plasmonic properties are a promising approach for cancer therapy, allowing magnetic guidance and a local temperature increase. This capability can provide a triggered drug release and synergistic cytotoxic effect in cancer cells. In this work, nickel ferrite/gold nanoparticles were developed, including nickel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles decorated with plasmonic gold nanoparticles and core/shell nanostructures (with a nickel ferrite core and a gold shell). These nanoparticles were covered with a surfactant/lipid bilayer, originating liposome-like structures with diameters below 160 nm. The heating capacity of these systems, upon excitation with light above 600 nm wavelength, was assessed through the emission quenching of rhodamine B located in the lipid layer. The developed nanosystems show promising results for future applications in thermotherapy.

Lethal H1N1 influenza A virus infection alters the murine alveolar type II cell surfactant lipidome

Alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial cells are the primary site of influenza virus replication in the distal lung. Development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in influenza-infected mice correlates with significant alterations in ATII cell function. However, the impact of infection on ATII cell surfactant lipid metabolism has not been explored. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intranasally with influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus (10,000 plaque-forming units/mouse) or mock-infected with virus diluent. ATII cells were isolated by a standard lung digestion protocol at 2 and 6 days postinfection. Levels of 77 surfactant lipid-related compounds of known identity in each ATII cell sample were measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In other mice, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected to measure lipid and protein content using commercial assay kits. Relative to mock-infected animals, ATII cells from influenza-infected mice contained reduced levels of major surfactant phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine) but increased levels of minor phospholipids (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelin), cholesterol, and diacylglycerol. These changes were accompanied by reductions in cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine and 5′-diphosphoethanolamine (liponucleotide precursors for ATII cell phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis, respectively). ATII cell lamellar bodies were ultrastructurally abnormal after infection. Changes in ATII cell phospholipids were reflected in the composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which contained reduced amounts of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol but increased amounts of sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and protein. Influenza infection significantly alters ATII cell surfactant lipid metabolism, which may contribute to surfactant dysfunction and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in influenza-infected mice.