Red blood cells decorated with functionalized core-shell magnetic nanoparticles: elucidation of the adsorption mechanism

The decoration of red blood cells (RBCs) with aminated and carboxylated core-shell magnetic nanoparticles (CSMNs) was studied and elucidated. It was demonstrated that only aminated CSMNs could decorate the RBCs and their adsorption interaction is mainly ruled by electrostatic attraction between the positively charged amino groups on CSMNs and the abundant sialic acid groups on the outer surface of RBCs.