Rat Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IEC-18) Internalize Magnetic Nanobeads (MNBs) Encapsulated Within a Branched Amphipathic Peptide (BAP) Bilayer

To evaluate the effect of BAP encapsulation of magnetic nanobeads on both cellular uptake and cell viability, research was conducted with Branched Amphipathic Peptide Capsule Magnetic Beads (BAPC-MB) and rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18). The study found that the percentage of IEC-18 cells taking up BAPC-MB was significantly higher when compared to magnetic beads alone. This is most likely due to the increased surface charge of the BAPC-MB (-30 to +23 mV) associated with the BAP encapsulation.

The IEC-18 cells also internalized approximately 50% more BAPC-MB in minimal media (OptiMEM®). Serum proteins present in media form a protein corona around BAPC-MB, further increasing their cellular uptake.

Figure 1. Cells that internalized the BAPC-MB can be effectively separated on a magnetic separator (T=0 oC , t= 25-30min).

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The study found the viability of IEC-18 is not negatively affected upon internalization of 50 nm BAPC-MB up to 10⁴/cell. The higher concentration of 200 nm BAPC-MB (2.5×103/cell) appears to have only a slight negative effect on viability when compared to controls.

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