ABSTRACT
Nanoparticles ............................................................................ 151 10.5 Engulfment of the Nanoparticles by Stem Cells
and Macrophages ....................................................................... 156 10.6 Conclusions ................................................................................ 159 Acknowledgement ................................................................................ 160 Keywords .............................................................................................. 160 References ............................................................................................. 161
10.1 INTRODUCTION
A great effort has been recently devoted to the design and synthesis of new magnetic nanoparticles driven by the rapid development of the nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology [1]. Among them, iron oxide nanoparticles, in particular magnetite Fe3O4 and maghemite γ-Fe2O3, play a prominent role since iron is indispensable component of living organisms and has reduced toxicity [2]. Surface-modified iron oxide nanoparticles have been found very attractive for cell separation [3] and labeling [4], can cer therapy [5], drug delivery [6] and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
