Magnetic auto-fluorescent microspheres for a drug delivery system

• Published in: Materials letters 2014-03, Vol.119, p.143-145
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hui, Chen, Jingdi, Zhang, Yujue, Pan, Panpan, Zhang, Qiqing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Chitosan; Composite materials; Fluorescence; Sodium alginate
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2014.01.008

A drug delivery system was prepared for potential bone regeneration. The fabrication process involved electrostatic self-assembly on sodium alginate to form global composite with a core–shell structure. The core of microsphere consisted of sodium alginate and nano-Fe3O4, which was prepared by a microcapsule shaping device. The core then electrostatically self-assembled with chitosan and finally cross-linked by genipin to form the shell structure. Superparamagnetism behaviors of nano-Fe3O4 and weak ferromagnetic behaviors of microsphere were proved by physical property measurement system (PPMS) test. The structural schematic diagram showed the structure of composite microsphere. The morphology of the composite microspheres was evaluated by a field scanning electron microscope (FSEM). Osteoblasts adhesion with microspheres was analyzed by inverted fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity established by confocal scanning laser microscope (CLSM) observation confirmed the developed composite materials with good biocompatibility. Results show potential applications for a bone repairing drug delivery system. •A drug delivery system for potential bone regeneration.•Electrostatic self-assembly microsphere with the core–shell structure.•Auto-fluorescence characteristic provides effective ways for imaging the microsphere–cell interface.