Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Comunications - Poster

Development of GG-MA:MnO2 nanoreactors for MRI Imaging

Abstract

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease which is not fully understood. Previous studies have shown evidences that oxidative stress can be involved in motor neuron degeneration in ALS, having the possibility of becoming a therapeutic target [1,4]. Manganese Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MEMRI) has been used to study functionality, anatomy and neural connection within the nervous system and it can also be used to guide intrathecal drug/cell delivery [1]. Manganese ions (Mn2+) are important for brain health, can enter excitable cells and be transported along axons and across synapses. Additionally, they can be used as contrast agent for long-term T1-weighted imaging [1]. Studies have shown that manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles are able to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), via decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in water, oxygen and Mn2+ [2]. Thus, we intend to develop MnO2 nano/microreactors that can be delivered and guided by MRI, thus regulating cell death apoptotic mechanisms and modulating inflammation in tissues. These MnO2 nanoparticles are toxic at high dosages and induce adverse effects in cells [2]. Thus, the nanoparticles will be blended with a methacrylated gellan-gum (GG-MA) based matrix. GG-MA is an anionic microbial polysaccharide that was chosen due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, easy functionalization and similarity with the extracellular matrix, as well as due to its high affinity with Mn2+ ions [3]. GG-MA was obtained as previously described [3], and chemically characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR. As a source of Mn2+, we intend to compare the activity of MnO2 nanoparticles synthetized according to a previously published protocol and commercially available ones. Rheology, stability, permeability and morphology were evaluated and further studies considering cell viability and ROS scavenging ability will be pursued.

Journal
First Achilles Conference - "Molecular and Biological Mechanisms of Tendon Homeostasis and Repair"
Keywords
GG-MA, MnO2 nanoreactors, MRI imaging, ROS scavenging
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Project
NanoTech4ALS
Year of Publication
2019
Date Published
2019-07-08
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