Surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles act as aneugen-like spindle poison

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the most promising types of nanoparticles for biomedical applications, primarily in the context of nanomedicine-based diagnostics and therapy; hence, great attention should be paid to their bio-safety. Here, we investigate the ability of surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) to produce chromosome damage in human alveolar A549 cells. Compared to control cells, all the applied MNPs increased the level of micronuclei moderately but did not cause structural chromosomal aberrations in exposed cells. A rise in endoreplication, polyploid and multinuclear cells along with disruption of tubulin filaments, downregulation of Aurora protein kinases and p53 protein activation indicated the capacity of these MNPs to impair the chromosomal passenger complex and/or centrosome maturation. We suppose that surface-modified MNPs may act as aneugen-like spindle poisons via interference with tubulin polymerization. Further studies on experimental animals revealing mechanisms of therapeutic-aimed MNPs are required to confirm their suitability as potential anti-cancer drugs.