Quaternized cellulose (QC) nanoparticles were prepared in distilled water by ionic crosslinking of QC with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) for the first time. BSA as a model protein drug was used to investigate the loading and release features of the nanoparticles. The results indicated that QC nanoparticles had high loading efficiency and capacity for BSA. The in vitro BSA release of the QC nanoparticles displayed a burst effect in the first 2 h and then a slow continuous release. Nanoparticles with a higher DS of QC showed a decrease in particle size, an increase in zeta potential, a higher loading efficiency and a slower drug-release profile. These studies demonstrated that QC nanoparticles are potential protein carriers, and that their physicochemical properties and release profile could be easily adjusted.