Engineered superparamagnetic Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles as a heat shock protein induction agent for ocular neuroprotection in glaucoma

Ocular neuroprotection induced by localized heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been paid considerable attention as an efficacious treatment modality for glaucoma However the current clinical approaches to induce HSPs in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are limited due to undesirable side effects Here we present that the induction of HSPs by local magnetic hyperthermia using engineered superparamagnetic Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticle agents (EMZF-SPNPAs) with a 55 nm mean particle size is promisingly feasible for a physiologically tolerable ocular neuroprotection modality The sufficiently high specific absorption rate (SAR) (similar to 256 4 W/g in an agar solution) achieved at the biologically safe range of applied AC magnetic field and frequency as well as the superior biocompatibility of EMZF-SPNPA which were confirmed from both in-vitro and in-vivo animal pilot studies allowing it to be considered as a potential localized HSPs agent Furthermore the successful demonstration of a newly designed infusion technique which diffuses the EMZF-SPNPAs through the vitreous body to the retina in a rat eye more strongly verified the promises of this biotechnical approach to the ocular neuroprotection modality in glaucoma clinics (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved