Surface-Modification Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Highly-Efficient Intracellular Hyperthermia

Functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can play crucial roles for medical applications such as cancer magnetic induction hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetofection. Herein we report the results of modified magnetic nanoparticles coated with protamine peptides containing nuclear localization signal sequences. Functionalization of these SPIONs under alternating magnetic field radiation resulted in more cellular uptake and higher-efficient cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The work demonstrates that functionalized SPIONs can be used as a novel kind of highly efficient magnetic mediator for magnetic induction intracellular hyperthermia.