Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Model as a Preclinical Tool for Nanoparticles Biology Study

A long medical history of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) and its major advantages (e.g. high-vascularized membrane, immunodeficiency, easy handling, quick and inexpensive) explain their expanding utility in many fields like cancer research, angiogenesis, tissue morphogenesis, toxicology studies, etc. Our in vivo study examined the biocompatibility and the embolic potential of the aqueous dispersion of the Fe3O4/salicylic acid magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with various diameters, and also the utility of the CAM model in the nanoparticles design and toxicity evaluation. The MNPs were synthesized by modified Massart method and characterized with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) in order to establish their hydrodynamic diameter range (< 50, 50-100, and > 100 nm). All MNPs dispersions were intravenous administered into CAM vessels and their biological properties evaluated with/without magnetic targeting for establish the embolic risk. The results showed that the 50-100 nm diameter range MNPs had no embolic risk, and a safety intravenous administration. Tissue MNPs deposits were biocompatible with embryos and chicken. These results validate the CAM as a suitable model to provide remarkable information about real-time visualization of MNPs intravascular behavior and properties.