Introduction

In the last few years, molecular imaging has emerged as a new area aiming at a minimally invasive visualization of expression and function of bioactive molecules at the molecular, sub-cellular, or cellular level.1,10 Recently, there is a great deal of interest in the development of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) such as quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, gold, or iron oxide for enormous applications in biomedical fields.22 Several systems have been designed and tested to accommodate paramagnetic or superparamagnetic materials and to act as highly efficient contrast agents (CA) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).20,28 As MRI is inherently a rather insensitive technique, high contrast generation and the ability to monitor the cells for longer times require that the cells are loaded with high amounts of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). This has stimulated the development of novel IONP types to reduce IONPs induced toxicity while maintaining or even augmenting the magnetic contrast. Among these attempts, coating USPIONs with phospholipids that generally referred to as magnetoliposoms (MLs) can stable NPs for their successful experimental use in addition liposomes favorably ameliorates their pharmacokinetics, resulting in improved CAs effects by increasing the quantity of agents in the tumor and significantly reducing non-specific toxicities to normal cells.24 MLs are an ideal platform as CA due to their strong effect on T2 relaxation. Moreover, modifying the surface of nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) prolongs circulation time in blood and reduces reticuloendothelial system uptake.11 Molecular targeting of the nanoparticles to cancer cells via antibodies to their cell surface markers may further enhance the accumulation of the nanoparticles in tumors, prolong their retention, and potentially allow the use of lower nanoparticle dosages.26 In several studies there is significant interest in the utilization of VHHs because of unique characterization (their unique properties of size, intrinsic stability, and ease of manufacture12) and impressive potential for therapy and in vivo diagnosis.8,17,18 Because of the pro-tumorigenic properties of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), such as the strong catalytic kinase activity, the extracellular accessibility, the high expression and association with poor prognosis, HER2 has been identified as a promising target for antibody-based therapy.7 In one study, Oliveira et al. designed and prepared anti EGFR (EGa1) nanobody coupled to PEG-liposome in order to EGFR down regulation.13 In another study, Rotman et al. prepared Two different formulations of GSH-PEG liposome containing 15 kDa amyloid beta binding llama single domain antibody fragments (VHH-pa2H) for Alzheimer’s disease.15 Up to now several VHHs were generated for imaging modalities (SPECT, optical, PET and ultrasound).4 Fortunately, the exclusive physical properties of MLs along with VHH as targeting agent, enable them to serve as imaging probes for locating and diagnosing cancerous lesions.2 Near 20 years ago, Shinkai et al. had prepared Antibody-conjugated MLs for targeting cancer cells for hyperthermia treatment.19 In previous researches, no study has not been done yet in the surface engineering of MLs by nanobody moreover no assuming was done in the anti-HER2 VHH MLs cellular uptake and in vitro MRI on HER2 positive and HER2 negative breast cancer cell lines.

In this study, we developed targeted MLs by anti-HER2 VHH for the first time in order to intelligent MRI. With the purpose of this goal, at first we designed and targeted MLs by anti-HER2 VHH and Herceptin separately. In a comparative study, in vitro cell uptake and cytotoxicity of targeted MLs as well as non-targeted MLs were evaluated on HER2-positive, HER2-negative cancerous and normal breast cell lines. The capacity of targeted cell labeling strategy by HER2-based immunomagnetoliposomes has been demonstrated via cellular iron uptake and in vitro MRI, as an efficient contrast agent for intelligent MRI.

Materials and Methods

Chemicals and Reagents

1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), cholesterol, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (ammonium salt) (DSPE-mPEG(2000)) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[maleimide(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (ammonium salt) (DSPE-PEG(2000) maleimide) were purchased from Avanti polar lipids. USPIONs coated by dextran provided in (Biomaterial laboratory, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) salt was bought from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, USA).

Cell Culture Conditions

BT-474 (HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line) and MDA-MB-231 (HER2 and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cell line) were grown in RPMI-1640 (100 U/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin and 2 mM/L glutamine) with or without 10% FBS and SK-BR-3 (HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line), MCF-10A (human normal breast epithelial cell line) was cultured in the DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 5% horse serum, 100 mg/mL EGF, 1 mg/mL hydrocortisone, 10 mg/mL insulin, 100 units/mL of penicillin and 100 mg/mL of streptomycin.

Preparation of MLs

MLs were prepared from dextran-stabilized Fe3O4, using the classical film method following by extrusion. In brief, the lipids DPPC:cholesterol:DSPE-PEG2000:DSPE-PEG-mal in a molar ratio of 7:2.5:0.4:0.1 and in amounts required to obtain a final lipid concentration of 50 mg/mL, were dissolved in a mixture of chloroform and methanol (9:1, volume ratio) in a round-bottom flask and dried in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure at 45 °C to form a thin film on the flask. After the complete removal of the chloroform, the lipid film was hydrated with the appropriate amount of the mixture of water and USPION at 45 °C for 1 h. Multilamellar liposomes (MLV) were downsized to form unilamellar vesicles by extrusion (Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc.) with polycarbonate membranes (Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc.) with pore diameters of 100 nm 21 times at 45 °C.

Particle Characterization of Magnetoliposomes

In MLs, the size, distribution and electrophoretic mobility of the particle size were determined by dynamic light scattering at 25 °C with a Zetasizer Nano ZS90 (Malvern, UK). MLs were diluted with PBS 10 mM until a concentration of approximately 0.2 g/L of magnetite. To avoid those MLs can settle due to the high density of the magnetite, the measurement was carried out with three different samples. To further determine the size of the MLs, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed. Approximately 5 µL of MLs solution was placed on a carbon grid. Liquid was then removed from the carbon grid, and the grid was imaged on a Hitachi H-7500 TEM. Scanned images were then analyzed in Adobe® Image Ready™, version 3.0, to determine approximate diameters.

Optimization of VHH Thiolation

In order to achieve conjugation of the biologically active VHH, the thiolation step of the VHH as well as the conjugation step to the particle surface is crucial for quality of the resulting nanoparticle. Therefore, at the beginning of the study a special focus was on the optimization of the thiolation procedure of the VHH under the aspect of an effective binding to particle surfaces. For the introduction of thiol groups several kinds of VHH/Truat mole ratios were used. The ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:7.5, 1:10 and 1:15 were evaluated and the volume of the samples was adjusted to 3 mL with thiolation buffer (pH 8.3). The samples were incubated for 1 h at room temperature under constant shaking (600 rpm). The thiolation of Herceptin was based on the Steinhauser et al. According to that study the reaction time for a standard protocol was fixed to 2 h at 50-fold molar excess of 2-iminothiolane.25

Preparation of Anti-HER2 Targeted MLs

In order to conjugate thilolated VHH to liposomes, the buffer was exchanged with phosphate buffer by Amicon filter 30,000 Dalton and the pH was adjusted to 7.0. To optimize immune magnetoliposomes preparation, the samples were incubated for 1, 2, 3, and 24 h at 20 and 4 °C under constant and gentle shaking. In all samples, 50 mg liposome was added to 1.8 g/L VHH and the volume of the samples was adjusted to 1 mL with phosphate buffer (pH 7). With the purpose of Herceptin conjugation, the antibody thiolated with 50-fold molar excess of 2-iminothiolane for 2 h and the buffer was exchanged as described above. An aliquot (1 g/L) of thiolated Herceptin solution in phosphate buffer pH 7 were added to 50 mg liposome under constant gentle shaking at room temperature for 1 h and the volume of the samples was adjusted to 1 mL with phosphate buffer (pH 7). Conjugation was confirmed by SDS-PAGE followed by silver staining.27

Stability Assessment of Anti-HER2 VHH Targeted Magnetoliposomes

To examine the stability of anti-HER2 VHH targeted MLs for in vitro experiments; the sizes and zeta potential of the MLs were measured during 4 weeks after sample preparation in several concentrations of FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum, 1, 5 and 10%). Every 1 week, aliquots (50 µL) of the nanoparticle suspensions were analyzed for particle size and zeta potential changes respectively.

Cell Viability and Metabolic Activity of Immunomagnetoliposomes

PrestoBlue™ Cell Viability Reagent is a ready‐to‐use reagent for rapidly evaluating the viability and proliferation of a wide range of cell types. For this purpose, BT-474, SK-BR-3, MCF10-A and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were seeded on 96-well microtiter plate at a density of 4 × 104, 3 × 104, 2 × 104 and 3 × 104 respectively, then incubated with MLs (200 and 400 μg Fe/mL), liposomes (adjust to MLs) and magnetites coated by dextran (200 and 400 μg Fe/mL). Presto blue assay was done according to the manufacturer’s protocol. PrestoBlue™ reagent is a resazurin-based solution that functions as a cell viability indicator by using the reducing power of living cells to quantitatively measure the proliferation of cells. PrestoBlue™ reagent (PB) is quickly reduced by metabolically active cells, providing a quantitative measure of viability and cytotoxicity in as little as 10 min. After 24 h treatment of the cells with the samples, the cells were washed and incubated with PB reagent. The changes in cell viability were detected using both, fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy. The absorbance was recorded at 570 nm after 2 h incubation of mentioned cells with PB reagent, whereas the fluorescence was read (excitation 570 nm; emission 610 nm) at recommended time of incubation (20 min and 2 h endpoint). The cell viability was expressed as a percentage relative to the non-treated cells.

Visualization of Targeted MLs Uptake

Cellular uptake of iron oxide cores was visualized by light microscopy by using Prussian blue staining. The cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 104 cells per well in 6-well plates that contained cover slips (3 mm diameter). After incubation for 8 h at 37 °C in a 5% CO2 atmosphere, the medium was replaced with fresh complete medium that contained VHH-modified and Herceptin-modified MLs (concentration: 200 μg Fe/mL). Cell staining was done according to Soenen et al.21

Determination of Intracellular Iron Content

A quantitative colorimetric iron determination at 490 nm was used for studying cellular iron uptake. In accordance with De Cuyper et al.’s protocol.3 After incubating the cells with targeted and non-targeted MLs, and subsequently removing the medium that contained the non internalized MLs, a mixture (28.8 mL) that consisted of TES buffer (16 mL, 5 mM, pH 7.0), HCl (9.6 mL, 37%) and of HNO3 (3.2 mL, 65%)21 was applied to each well. To dissolve the colloidal Fe3O4 cores, the plate was placed on a shaker and shaken at 1200 rpm at 37 °C for 2 h, then distilled water (51.5 mL) was added, followed by a 5:1 mixture (96 mL) of KOH (4 N), Tiron (0.25 M) and phosphate buffer (160 mL, 0.2 M, pH 9.5). After incubation for 15 min at room temperature, 100 µL of solution was transferred to a new ELISA plate then the absorbance was measured at 490 nm on the ELISA plate reader, and the iron uptake was determined by comparing the absorbance with that of untreated cells. A standard curve ranging from 0 to 100 mg/mL Fe+3 was constructed by starting from a stock solution (1 mg/mL Fe+3). The absorbance was quantified by using this standard curve that covered the range of 0–100 mg/mL of Fe+3. To determine the average amount of iron per cell, the total iron concentration was divided by the total amount of protein (by Quick Start™ Bradford Protein Assay), which was then converted to the amount of iron per total cell number.

Ex Vivo Imaging

Several human breast cell lines (BT-474, SK-BR-3) and (MDA-MB-231, MCF10-A) were grown in 24-well plates at 60–70% confluence and then incubated with Herceptin, anti-HER2 VHH targeted MLs, non-targeted MLs and magnetite nanoparticles at 200 µg Fe/mL for 8 h. Cells were then washed three times with PBS, trypsinized, spun down by centrifugation and fixated in 4% glutaraldehyde for 20 min at room temperature (RT). Cells were then spun down again and dispersed in 100 µL PBS to make stock cell suspensions. Of this stock suspension, four dilutions were prepared in 100 µL of 1% agarose gel, leading to 1000, 500, 200 cells/µL and placed in 1.5 mL micro tubes. These tubes were further filled with 1.5% agarose gel and placed in a water block. As control, a tube filled completely with 1.5% agarose was taken. Upon solidification, the study was performed by 1.5 T GE MR Scanner at 25 °C with a 90 mm × 90 mm field of view (FOV), one acquisition and matrix size of 256 × 196 pixels and 5 mm slice thickness.

Statistical Analysis

The different experimental groups within the study were compared by using the MANOVA test. The comparisons between the pairs of groups were performed with the One Way ANOVA test. A probability of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) was used for statistical significance.

Results

Characterizations of the Nanosized Anti-HER2 Targeted MLs

In order to confirm the physical characterization of MLs, several usual techniques were used. As prepared MLs [containing 45 g of magnetite/mol of phospholipid (Pl)]9 was brownish appearance and highly soluble in water. The number of USPION particles in each liposome was calculated according to Soenen et al. For a Fe3O4 content of 45 mg Fe3O4/mol Pl, a theoretical number of 83 particles for a single ML were calculated, assuming spherical unilamellar vesicles of 100 ± 10 nm diameter and spherical 20 nm diameter Fe3O4 cores. Figure 1 was obtained by TEM without staining the samples. The average size of non-targeted ML was 100 ± 10 nm and the zeta potential of 0.42 ± 0.3 mV near to inert. After surface modification with VHH an average size of 110 ± 10 nm with PI below 0.1 and a surface charge of −5 ± 0.5 mV were achieved. The negative zetapotential of anti-HER2 VHH-MLs can reduce nonspecific internalization. In compare with VHH, the Herceptin conjugation has no effect on surface charge of nanoparticles, these results confirmed by Steinhauser et al too.25

Figure 1
figure 1

TEM image of MLs without staining. It shows the phospholipid bilayer surrounding the electron dense iron oxide cores.

Full size image

Optimization of Thiolation

The free sulfhydryl groups are necessary for covalent conjugation to particle surface but these groups bear the risk of oxidative disulfide bridge formation leading to dimmers or even higher oligomers of VHH. These by-products could affect the biological activity and thus were objectionable. The 1:1 or 1:2 VHH/Truat mole ratios were chose for conjugation because the aggregation was at least. After thiolation by Truat reagent, the amount of thiol groups were measured by disulfide building with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or DTNB (Ellman’s reagent). As could be expected at 1:1 or 1:2 VHH/Truat mole ratios the highest number of 1.2 ± 0.15 sulfhydryl groups per VHH was introduced. On the basis of our results the reaction time for a standard protocol should be set to 1 h at 1:2 VHH/Truat mole ratios. According to Steinhauser et al at 50-fold molar excess the highest number of 0.71 ± 0.15 sulfhydryl groups per Herceptin was introduced.

Preparation of Immunomagnetoliposomes

The surface of the particles was PEGylated and activated by PEG-DSPE and Malemide-PEG-DSPE respectively. The SEC analysis of the supernatants revealed, that the VHH was quantitatively bound to the nanoparticle surface by effective percent near to 70% (Fig. 2). Based on these results, in average 27 µg nanobody were attached per mg nanoparticle which corresponds to 58 VHH molecules per nanoparticles. Because Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody with two antigen binding sites, in order to synthesis targeted MLs with the same number of antigen binding site, 65 µg Herceptin were attached per mg nanoparticle which corresponds to nearly 30 Herceptin molecules per nanoparticles.

Figure 2
figure 2

Confirm of conjugation of antibody and liposomes by coomassie blue and silver staining. The heavier band in compare to VHH band, represent the conjugation of VHH to the surface of magnetoliposomes. (1) Protein ladder. (2) Free VHH. (3) ML conjugates. (4) ML conjugates with silver staining.

Full size image

Stability Assessment of Anti-HER2 VHH Targeted Magnetoliposomes

To evaluate the influence of the FBS proteins on the nanoparticles size and zeta potential, several FBS concentrations were analyzed during 4 weeks in cell culture medium. The results obtained are given in Fig. 3. Because of negative charge on the surface of anti-HER2 VHH targeted MLs, the FBS proteins can have at least effects on the size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles (Figs. 3a, 3b). Furthermore the PEG on the magnetoliposome surface can reduce non covalent connection and maintain the size and zeta potential of nanoparticles. The differences in size and zeta potentials of samples in different concentrations of FBS were not significant and these showed our nano particles have suitable stability even in 10% FBS during 4 weeks storage.

Figure 3
figure 3

Storage stability of anti-HER2 targeted magnetoliposomes in cell culture medium plus 1, 5 and 10% FBS. Particle size (a) and zetapotential (b) were recorded over a time period of 4 weeks (n = 3; mean ± SD).

Full size image

Comparison of the Cytotoxicity of MLs Nanoparticles

To compare the cellular toxicities of dextran coated USPIONs, MLs and iron oxide free vesicles, on cell viability of BT-474, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and MCF10-A, these cell lines were incubated with these nanoparticles, all containing the same phospholipid components and identical preparation process. As anticipated, there is no significant cytotoxicity among samples after 24 h (Fig. 4). The dextran coated magnetite, inert PEGylated magnetoliposomes and iron free vesicles have no considerable effects on cell viability. The results indicate that cell labeling at the non-toxic concentrations of Fe+3 indeed did not cause any acute toxicity.

Figure 4
figure 4

PrestoBlue™ Cell Viability assay. Cell viability assay for HER2 positive (SK-BR-3 and BT-474), HER2 negative (MDA-MB-231) and normal breast cell line (MCF10-A) incubated with magnetite, MLs at 200 and 400 µg Fe/mL and liposome (adjust to MLs), after 24 h of incubation. The error bars indicate mean SEM. For the cell viability, relative values are given to those of control samples which not incubated with any particles but otherwise treated identically.

Full size image

The Cellular Iron Uptake

The uptake of MLs by BT-474, SK-BR-3 as HER2 positive breast cancer cell line and MDA-MB-231, MCF10-A as negative control was investigated by using VHH and Herceptin targeted, non-targeted MLs and magnetite. Figure 5 shows optical micrographs of Prussian blue stained cell lines that were incubated for 8 h with these three types of samples at a concentration of 200 µg Fe/mL. When the cells were incubated with non-targeted MLs or magnetite only a few dark dots were seen, Figs. 5a and 5b, respectively. In contrast, when targeted MLs were used, the cells were heavily loaded with the ML colloids (Figs. 5c, 5d); this visual inspection showed that the amount of iron that was taken up per cell was quite variable. Quantitative data on the average iron oxide uptake per cell after 8 h incubation were obtained by a Prussian blue colorimetric assay determination (Fig. 6). The results clearly show that the cellular iron concentrations in targeted MLs are more than the non-targeted MLs or magnetite. In compare between anti-HER2 VHH and Herceptin, the Fig. 6 shows the anti-HER2 VHH MLs can effectively labeled HER2 positive cell lines in compare with Herceptin targeted MLs. Of course the cellular iron uptake is depend on cell line specificities, nanoparticle characterization and targeting agent traits, so the comparison between two kinds of targeting agents with different specificities is not logical. Obviously the VHHs with peculiar characteristics remarkably out-competed other targeting agents in some medical area.

Figure 5
figure 5

Visualization of cellular uptake of non-targeted magnetoliposome (a), magnetite (b), anti-HER2 VHH targeted ML (c) and Herceptin targeted ML (d) by Prussian blue staining of BT-474 after 8 h incubation.

Full size image
Figure 6
figure 6

Intracellular iron content for HER2 positive (SK-BR-3 and BT-474), HER2 negative (MDA-MB-231) and normal breast cell line (MCF10-A) incubated with magnetite, non-targeted magnetoliposome, Herceptin targeted ML and anti-HER2 VHH targeted at 200 µg Fe/mL, after 8 h of incubation. *p <0.05; **p <0.01; ***p <0.001.

Full size image

Ex Vivo Imaging

The magnetic resonance imaging of labeled cells (Fig. 7) confirmed the targeted and non-targeted iron uptake findings visually, it shows a clear generation of MR contrast of anti-HER2 VHH-MLs labeled HER2 positive cell lines as higher cell densities (1000 Cells/μL) lead to reduction in T2/T2* relaxation times and a so called blooming effect in T2*-weighted MRI. T2-weighted MR images allowed the visualization of the effect induced by MLs on the signal intensity of cell samples. Lower cell densities also led to appreciable MR contrast (200 Cells/μL) and even at the lowest density, dark spots corresponding to labeled cells were still detectable. Whiles, MR contrast of non-targeted MLs or magnetite at HER2 positive and HER2 negative cell lines have no significant difference.

Figure 7
figure 7

Ex vivo imaging. MR detection of magnetite (M), non-targeted magnetoliposome (ML), Herceptin targeted ML (HER2-ML) and anti-HER2 VHH targeted (VHH-ML) at 200 µg Fe/mL, after 8 h of incubation. Pictures show the presence of hypo-intense spots of magnetoliposomes and Magnetite, in 1.5 T MRI with cell densities of 1000, 500, 200 cells/µl of HER2 positive (SK-BR-3 and BT-474), HER2 negative (MDA-MB-231).

Full size image

Discussion

The main objective of this study was to assess the in vitro effect of targeted MLs by anti-HER2 VHH in compared to non-functionalized control MLs and magnetite using in vitro MRI and cell staining. The hypothesis was that targeted MLs could bind and internalized by receptor dependent way on the HER2 positive breast cancer cell line membrane for intellectual imaging. To date, USPIONs have frequently been used as MRI contrast agents and cell labeling tools for further MRI follow-up of the cells after transplantation in vivo.6,23 By merging liposomes and USPIONs, MLs were borne, these creatures are potentially good multifunctional nanoplatforms for both imaging and chemotherapy.5,16 Cancer cells often over express receptors for peptides, hormones and essential nutrients like iron or folic acid which provide an opportunity for the active and specific targeting of colloidal carriers.25 Especially, HER1 and HER2, members of the human epidermal growth factor family of receptors (HER), have been connected to 20–30% of breast cancer cases.7,14,25

In this study, we encapsulated a dextran coated USPION in inert liposome to produce MLs by means of a double technique: first, the liposomes were prepared by reverse-phase evaporation using a suspension of ferrofluid as the aqueous medium. Then, the resulting liposomes were extruded through 100-nm pore membranes. After purification of MLs by Sepharose CL4B size exclusion chromatography column, a physicochemical characterization was performed, which included transmission electron microscopy, size distribution and stability assessment. Subsequently, the nanoparticles were targeted by anti-HER2 VHHs. Cytotoxicity assay was analyzed by PrestoBlue™ method on HER2 positive (BT-474, SK-BR-3), HER2 negative (MDA-MB-231) and normal breast (MCF10-A) cell lines. Cellular uptake was checked out in passive and active targeting by Prussian blue staining and optical microscopic assay. In previous study for gaining up the best ML with the most USPION capacity and lowest cytotoxicity, encapsulation by several amount of USPION was done. Furthermore the relaxivity measurement is done by several Fe concentrations.9 Magnetite with coating by inert PEGylated liposomes has no cytotoxic effect on the cells during several time points and concentrations. Soenen et al. showed that the intracellular degradation of the contrast agent is an important issue and it was far more pronounced for magnetite nanoparticles like Sinerem® and far less for lipid-coated MLs. As a consequence, MLs have more stability on enduring endosomal degradation in compare to citrate- or dextran-coated particles so these compartments can be ideal CA for long-term detection of labeled cells, even upon recurrent cell divisions. The stability measurement shows that PEGylated and targeted MLs have enough stability during 4 weeks storage period in cell culture medium plus FBS, furthermore these kinds of MLs have enough stability in phosphate buffer saline during 4 weeks storage period.9 The proteins of FBS can have effects on size and zeta potential which can interfere with cellular attachment and stability. So according to our results the differences in size and zeta potentials of samples in different concentrations of FBS were not significant and these showed our nano particles have suitable stability even in 10% FBS during 4 weeks storage. The stability of nano particles is a necessary characteristic for in vivo experiments; these results show these kinds of magnetoliposomes may be stable in blood similar conditions. The coupling of anti-HER2 VHH to the surface of PEGylated MLs did not alter the specificity or inhibit the binding capacity of anti-HER2 VHH. Anti-HER2 VHH conjugated MLs (HER2-MLs) demonstrated specific binding to HER2 over expressing breast cancer cell lines (BT-474, SK-BR-3) as well as Herceptin conjugated MLs (Herceptin-MLs). However, the iron uptake outcomes show that anti-HER2 VHH-MLs have more ability to endocytose in compare with Herceptin-MLs despite of negative zetapotential after conjugation by VHH. It may be was due to small size and more penetration ability of VHHs into cells. Moreover, VHHs are smaller than antibodies and are thus more readily deliverable into cells also they have more stability in compare with whole antibodies. Of course the small sizes and high curvature angles of nanoparticles influence the types and amounts of proteins present on their surfaces. This differential display of proteins bound to the surface of NPs can influence the cellular uptake and biological effects of NPs.

Also, this finding was further strengthened when considering the in vitro MRI study. Our recent findings confirm that the amount of r2/r1 for all other samples including HER2 targeted ML, VHH targeted ML and non-targeted ML were between ~21 and ~28, which show the magnetite embedded samples have enough negative contrast to be detectable by magnetic resonance Imaging.9 The magnetic resonance imaging of labeled cells confirmed the targeted and non-targeted iron uptake findings visually, it shows a clear generation of MR contrast of anti-HER2 VHH-MLs labeled HER2 positive cell lines as higher cell densities (1000 Cells/μL) lead to reduction in T2/T2* relaxation times and a so called blooming effect in T2*-weighted MRI. T2-weighted MR images allowed the visualization of the effect induced by MLs on the signal intensity of cell samples. Lower cell densities also led to appreciable MR contrast (200 Cells/μL) and even at the lowest density, dark spots corresponding to labeled cells were still detectable. Whiles, MR contrast of non-targeted MLs or magnetite at HER2 positive and HER2 negative cell lines have no significant difference.

We could assert these magic balls could target HER2 positive cell line effectively and MR contrast is detectable even by low cell densities. This intracellular clustering greatly enhances cell-associated MR contrast compared with common MR contrast agents and makes HER2-MLs interesting tools for efficient and long-term MR visualization of labeled cells and make anti-HER2 VHH-MLs perfect candidates to study the beginning stage of tumor formation and migration and homing of cancerous cells in vivo.