Overview of the Influence of the Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose of Review To provide a comprehensive overview of key findings in research involving AD-MSCs and IONPs. Recent Findings Recent studies demonstrate the use of rabbits as a source for obtaining AD-MSCs, although human and murine sources remain the most commonly used. Regarding cell viability and IONP concentration, it is observed that high levels of IONPs can negatively impact the viability of AD-MSCs. Therefore, concentrations below 50 µg/mL are recommended. As for the influence of IONPs on cell proliferation and differentiation, the results are still divergent. However, most studies do not identify statistically significant differences in these parameters compared to controls. Summary Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) have changed the scientific and medical community’s perspective on adipose tissue, primarily due to their relative ease of isolation compared to cells from other sources, while maintaining similar biological characteristics. Nanoparticles (NPs) are nanometric structures with dimensions ranging up to 100 nm and, over the years, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been extensively investigated in the biomedical field due to their unique ability to interact with and modulate cellular biological functions. Advances in biotechnology have expanded therapeutic applications of AD-MSCs, with their combination with IONPs emerging as a highly promising strategy. However, this interaction is still recent, and its precise effects on AD-MSCs remain poorly understood. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the influence of IONPs on AD-MSCs. All selected studies utilized adipose tissue as the source of MSCs, predominantly of human and murine origin, and indicated that IONP concentrations equal to or below 50 µg/mL are preferable, as higher nanoparticle levels may negatively affect AD-MSC viability. In addition, the intracellular localization of IONPs has been predominantly observed within lysosomes, endosomes, the perinuclear region, and the cytoplasm. Although current findings suggest a promising interaction between IONPs and AD-MSCs, the available literature remains limited and, occasionally, presents discrepant results. This highlights the need for further investigations to better elucidate the biological effects and safety of this association, particularly concerning future in vivo applications.