Cover Feature: Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalized with Fucoidan: a Potential Theranostic Nanotool for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (ChemBioChem 16/2022)

Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were functionalized with fucoidan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide. NP cellular uptake was quantified by magnetic measurement at various extracellular iron concentrations. Cell invasion and migration were reduced with NPs. Concomitantly, a high decrease of reactive oxygen species production related with a decrease of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and an increase of its expression was observed. Proteomic analysis showed that some fucoidan regulated proteins appeared related to protein synthesis, N-glycan processing, and cellular stress. These results pave the way for USPIO-fucoidan-NPs as potential theranostic nanotools for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. More information can be found in the Research Article by F. Geinguenaud et al.