A 1:2 inclusion complex composed of 5-[4-(tetraglutaminylglutaramido)phenyl]-10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin and per-O-methylated beta-cyclodextrin interacted electrostatically with a dodecaarginine in aqueous solution. Such a ternary complex dispersed in a serum-containing culture medium was efficiently taken up by HeLa cells. This cellular uptake was achieved owing to the interaction between the tetraglutamate chain of the porphyrin and dodecaarginine carrier peptide.