Silica–Iron Oxide Magnetic Composite Particles for In Vitro Cell Separation: Synthesis, Possibilities, and Effects on Cell Metabolism

The development of magnetic particles for cell separation is a promising and actively developing direction. An important requirement for this method of isolation is the preservation of cell viability for the possibility of further study. The aim of the work was to develop magnetic composites based on iron oxide for single-stage cell separation and to evaluate the possibilities of further study of these cells using molecular and cellular biology methods. The particles were synthesized by the precipitation method; the magnetic cores were embedded in silica using TEOS and APTES reagents. Anti-EpCAM antibodies were immobilized on the surfaces of the obtained composites. T24 cells containing this antigen on the surface of some cells were used as a model suspension. It was shown that incubation of particles with the cells led to a decrease in the proportion of EpCAM-positive cells in the suspension and their binding to the magnetic composites. During the first hour of incubation with the particles, a decrease in the proportion of living cells in the suspension and a change in the mRNA level of the <i>BCL2</i> gene were noted. However, after 2 h of incubation, cell adaptation and restoration of viability were noted. The separation procedure resulted in a stable decrease in the expression of the <i>BIRC5</i> gene. The cells that were immobilized were subsequently successfully cultured. Thus, the proposed particles do not have high requirements for synthesis but allow for the isolation of living cells that can be used for further studies.