Intracellular Distribution of Macrophage Targeting Ferritin-Iron Oxide Nanocomposite

Intracellular distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated within a ferritin mutant that displays genetically introduced cell-targeted peptides (RGD-4C) on its exterior surface are investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy with a high-angle annular dark-field detector. The particles (indicated by arrows) internalized into macrophages much more effectively than those with noncell-targeted ferritin.