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Review
. 2014 Mar 11:2:5.
doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2014.00005. eCollection 2014.

Applications of magnetosomes synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria in medicine

Edouard Alphandéry  1
Affiliations
Review

Applications of magnetosomes synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria in medicine

Edouard Alphandéry. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Magnetotactic bacteria belong to a group of bacteria that synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles covered by biological material that are called magnetosomes. These bacteria use the magnetosomes as a compass to navigate in the direction of the earth's magnetic field. This compass helps the bacteria to find the optimum conditions for their growth and survival. Here, we review several medical applications of magnetosomes, such as those in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic hyperthermia, and drug delivery. Different methods that can be used to prepare the magnetosomes for these applications are described. The toxicity and biodistribution results that have been published are summarized. They show that the magnetosomes can safely be used provided that they are prepared in specific conditions. The advantageous properties of the magnetosomes compared with those of chemically synthesized nanoparticles of similar composition are also highlighted.

Keywords: cancer; heat therapy; magnetic hyperthermia; magnetosomes; magnetotactic bacteria; thermotherapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transmission electron microscopy images of a single magnetotactic bacterium (A) of chains of magnetosomes extracted from whole magnetotactic bacteria (B) of individual magnetosomes detached from the chains by heat and SDS treatment (C).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic diagram showing the treatment of a mouse using magnetic hyperthermia. The mouse has a breast tumor xeno-grafted under its skin. A suspension of magnetosomes is administered at the center of the tumor; the mouse is then positioned inside a coil where an alternating magnetic field is applied three times during 20 min. The tumor disappears 30 days following the treatment as can be seen in the bottom right photograph.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Alphandéry E., Faure S., Raison L., Duguet E., Howse P. A., Bazylinski D. A. (2011a). Heat production by bacterial magnetosomes exposed to an oscillating magnetic field. J. Phys. Chem. C 115, 18–22 10.1021/jp104580t - DOI
    1. Alphandéry E., Faure S., Seksek O., Guyot F., Chebbi I. (2011b). Chains of magnetosomes extracted from AMB-1 magnetotactic bacteria for application in alternative magnetic field cancer therapy. ACS Nano 5, 6279–6296 10.1021/nn201290k - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alphandéry E., Guyot F., Chebbi I. (2012a). Preparation of chains of magnetosomes, isolated from Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1 magnetotactic bacteria, yielding efficient treatment of tumors using magnetic hyperthermia. Int. J. Pharm. 434, 444–452 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.06.015 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alphandéry E., Amor M., Guyot F., Chebbi I. (2012b). The effects of iron-chelating agents on Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1: stimulated growth and magnetosome production and improved magnetosome heating properties. Appl. Micriobiol. Biotechnol. 96, 663–670 10.1007/s00253-012-4199-5 - DOI - PubMed