Accounting for biological aggregation in heating and imaging of magnetic nanoparticles

Aggregation is a known consequence of nanoparticle use in biology and medicine; however, nanoparticle characterization is typically performed under the pretext of well-dispersed, aqueous conditions. Here, we systematically characterize the effects of aggregation on the alternating magnetic field induced heating and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performance of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) in non-ideal biological systems. Specifically, the behavior of IONP aggregates composed of ~ 10 nm primary particles, but with aggregate hydrodynamic sizes ranging from 50 nm to 700 nm, was characterized in phosphate buffered saline and fetal bovine serum suspensions, as well as in gels and cells. We demonstrate up to a 50% reduction in heating, linked to the extent of aggregation. To quantify aggregate morphology, we used a combination of hydrodynamic radii distribution, intrinsic viscosity, and electron microscopy measurements to describe the aggregates as quasifractal entities with fractal dimensions in the 1.8–2.0 range. Importantly, we are able to correlate the observed decrease in magnetic field induced heating with a corresponding decrease in longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) in MR imaging, irrespective of the extent of aggregation. Finally, we show in vivo proof-of-principle use of this powerful new imaging method, providing a critical tool for predicting heating in clinical cancer hyperthermia.