Magnetic nanoparticles coated with carboxymethylated polysaccharide shells—Interaction with human cells

Abstract The interaction of magnetic core shell nanoparticles with living cells depends on the structure of the shell. In this paper we demonstrate a strong difference in the cell–nanoparticle interaction depending on the backbone of carboxymethylated polysaccharides used as shell material. Carboxymethyl cellulose with its β-1→4 linked structure and the carboxymethylated pullulan [α-1→6 linked maltotriose with α-1→4 linkages] show a constant interaction rate with both, tumor cells and leukocytes. In contrast, carboxymethyl dextran with a α-1→6 linked backbone exhibits a rapid interaction kinetic with tumor cells that is reduced with leukocytes as target.