Human-like collagen protein-coated magnetic nanoparticles with high magnetic hyperthermia performance and improved biocompatibility

Human-like collagen (HLC)-coated monodispersed superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles have been successfully prepared to investigate its effect on heat induction property and cell toxicity. After coating of HLC, the sample shows a faster rate of temperature increase under an alternating magnetic field although it has a reduced saturation magnetization. This is most probably a result of the effective heat conduction and good colloid stability due to the high charge of HLC on the surface. In addition, compared with Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles before coating with HLC, HLC-coated Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles do not induce notable cytotoxic effect at higher concentration which indicates that HLC-coated Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles has improved biocompatibility. Our results clearly show that Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles after coating with HLC not only possess effective heat induction for cancer treatment but also have improved biocompatibility for biomedicine applications.