Relaxivity properties of magnetoferritin: The iron loading effect

Synthesis of dumbbell-like heteronanostructures encapsulated in ferritin protein: Towards multifunctional protein based opto-magnetic nanomaterials for biomedical theranostic

Dumbbell-like hetero nanostructures based on gold and iron oxides is a promising material for biomedical applications, useful as versatile theranostic agents due the synergistic effect of their optical and magnetic properties. However, achieving precise control on their morphology, size dispersion, colloidal stability, biocompatibility and cell targeting remains as a current challenge. In this study, we address this challenge by employing biomimetic routes, using ferritin protein nanocages as template for these nanoparticles' synthesis. We present the development of an opto-magnetic nanostructures using the ferritin protein, wherein gold and iron oxide nanostructures were produced within its cavity. Initially, we investigated the synthesis of gold nanostructures within the protein, generating clusters and plasmonic nanoparticles. Subsequently, we optimized the conditions for the superparamagnetic nanoparticles synthesis through controlled iron oxidation, thereby enhancing the magnetic properties of the resulting system. Finally, we produce magnetic nanoparticles in the protein with gold clusters, achieving the coexistence of both nanostructures within a single protein molecule, a novel material unprecedented to date. We observed that factors such as temperature, metal/protein ratios, pH, dialysis, and purification processes all have an impact on protein recovery, loading efficiency, morphology, and nanoparticle size. Our findings highlight the development of ferritin-based nanomaterials as versatile platforms for potential biomedical use as multifunctional theranostic agents.

Ferritin nanocage based delivery vehicles: From single-, co- to compartmentalized- encapsulation of bioactive or nutraceutical compounds

Bioactive or nutraceutical ingredients have been widely used in pursuit of health and well-being. However, the environmental instability, poor solubility and bioavailability, and unspecific delivery highly limited their practical values. By virtue of the unique shell-like structure, definite disassembly/reassembly behavior, and excellent safety profile of ferritin protein, it stands out among of various nano-materials and is emerging as one of the most promising vehicles for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive ingredients or drugs. In this review, we present a systematic overview of recent advances of ferritin-based delivery systems from single-encapsulation, co-encapsulation, to compartmentalized-encapsulation of bioactive ingredients or drugs. Different encapsulation strategies for cargo loading as well as their advantages and drawbacks have been critically reviewed. This study emphasized the importance of the construction of compartmentalized delivery systems through the usage of ferritin nanocages, which exhibit great potential for facilitating the synergistic functionality of different types of cargos. Lastly, the applications of ferritin nanocages for physicochemical improvements and functionality achievements of loaded cargos are summarized. In conclusion, ferritin protein nanocages not only are excellent nanocarriers, but also can act as"multi-seated" vehicles for co-encapsulation and compartmentalized encapsulation of different cargos simultaneously.