Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
08:13
Using Magnetometry to Monitor Cellular Incorporation and Subsequent Biodegradation of Chemically Synthetized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: February 27, 2021
Maghemite nanoparticles and their protamine derivatives: cellular internalization and effects on cell-cycle progress
1Jiangsu Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|May 16, 2009
Summary
Protamine derivatives of dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated maghemite nanoparticles show high cellular uptake and affect cell cycle in hepatoma cells. Nanoparticles had limited uptake and lower cytotoxicity than derivatives.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-coated maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) are investigated for biomedical applications.
- Protamine derivatives were synthesized to enhance nanoparticle properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize DMSA-coated maghemite NPs and their protamine derivatives.
- To evaluate the cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and cell-cycle effects of these nanomaterials in human hepatoma cells.
Main Methods:
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for size and morphology analysis.
- Cellular uptake studies using human hepatoma cells.
- Cell viability assays (MTT or similar).
- Cell-cycle analysis (e.g., flow cytometry).
Main Results:
- TEM confirmed NPs size around 10 nm; derivatives showed larger aggregates.
- NPs exhibited limited cellular internalization, while derivatives were internalized efficiently.
- NPs showed low cytotoxicity across a broad concentration range (0.3-2.4 mg/ml).
- Derivatives displayed a narrower non-toxic concentration range (0.3-0.6 mg/ml).
- Both NPs and derivatives influenced cell-cycle progression.
Conclusions:
- Protamine derivatization significantly enhances the cellular uptake of maghemite nanoparticles.
- While NPs are generally non-toxic, derivatives exhibit concentration-dependent cytotoxicity.
- Both forms of nanomaterials can modulate hepatoma cell-cycle, warranting further mechanistic investigation.
