Engineered Cell-Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles Directly Present Tumor Antigens to Promote Anticancer Immunity

A general pHLA-CD80 scaffold fusion protein to promote efficient antigen-specific T cell-based immunotherapy

Inadequate antigen-specific T cells activation hampers immunotherapy due to complex antigen presentation. In addition, therapeutic in vivo T cell expansion is constrained by slow expansion rates and limited functionality. Herein, we introduce a model fusion protein termed antigen-presenting cell-mimic fusion protein (APC-mimic), designed to greatly mimicking the natural antigen presentation pattern of antigen-presenting cells and directly expand T cells both in vitro and in vivo. The APC-mimic comprises the cognate peptide-human leukocyte antigen (pHLA) complex and the co-stimulatory marker CD80, which are natural ligands on APCs. Following a single stimulation, APC-mimic leads to an approximately 400-fold increase in the polyclonal expansion of antigen-specific T cells compared with the untreated group in vitro without the requirement for specialized antigen-presenting cells. Through the combination of single-cell TCR sequencing (scTCR-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identify an approximately 600-fold monoclonal expansion clonotype among these polyclonal clonotypes. It also exhibits suitability for in vivo applications confirmed in the OT-1 mouse model. Furthermore, T cells expanded by APC-mimic effectively inhibits tumor growth in adoptive cell transfer (ACT) murine models. These findings pave the way for the versatile APC-mimic platform for personalized therapeutics, enabling direct expansion of polyfunctional antigen-specific T cell subsets in vitro and in vivo.

Engineered Macrophage Membrane-Coated S100A9-siRNA for Ameliorating Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Despite the widespread adoption of emergency coronary reperfusion therapy, reperfusion-induced myocardial injury remains a challenging issue in clinical practice. Following myocardial reperfusion, S100A8/A9 molecules are considered pivotal in initiating and regulating tissue inflammatory damage. Effectively reducing the S100A8/A9 level in ischemic myocardial tissue holds significant therapeutic value in salvaging damaged myocardium. In this study, HA (hemagglutinin)- and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products)- comodified macrophage membrane-coated siRNA nanoparticles (MMM/RNA NPs) with siRNA targeting S100A9 (S100A9-siRNA) are successfully prepared. This nanocarrier system is able to target effectively the injured myocardium in an inflammatory environment while evading digestive damage by lysosomes. In vivo, migration of MMM/RNA NPs to myocardial injury lesions is confirmed in a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) mouse model. Intravenous injection of MMM/RNA NPs significantly reduced S100A9 levels in serum and myocardial tissues, further decreasing myocardial infarction area and improving cardiac function. Targeted reduction of S100A8/A9 by genetically modified macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles may represent a new therapeutic intervention for MIRI.

Utilization of chitosan nanocomposites loaded with quantum dots enables efficient and traceable DNA delivery

Chitosan is widely employed in gene carriers due to its excellent gene loading capacity, ease of modification, and exceptional biodegradability. However, low gene delivery efficiency, high cytotoxicity, and lack of tracer biomimetic properties limit its clinical use. To address these issues, a novel biomimetic tracking gene delivery carrier, RBCm-C50kQT, was constructed by using the design scheme of cell membrane coated carbon quantum dots/chitosan. This carrier improves stability and tracking performance while embedding the cell membrane enhances biosafety. RBCm-C50kQT effectively carries and protects DNA, improving uptake and transfection efficiency with reduced cytotoxicity. It maintains strong fluorescence tracking and shows high uptake efficiencies of 83.62 % and 77.45 % in 293 T and HeLa cells, respectively, with maximum transfection efficiencies of 68.80 % and 45.47 %. This advancement supports gene therapy improvements and paves the way for future clinical applications.

Gene-Engineered Cerium-Exosomes Mediate Atherosclerosis Therapy Through Remodeling of the Inflammatory Microenvironment and DNA Damage Repair

The pro-inflammatory immune microenvironment in the localized lesion areas and the absence of DNA damage repair mechanisms in endothelial cells serve as essential accelerating factors in the development of atherosclerosis. The lack of targeted therapeutic strategies represents a significant limitation in the efficacy of therapeutic agents for atherosclerosis. In this study, Genetically engineered SNHG12-loaded cerium-macrophage exosomes (Ce-Exo) are designed as atherosclerosis-targeting agents. In vivo studies demonstrated that Ce-Exo exhibited multivalent targeting properties for macrophages, with a 4.1-fold higher atherosclerotic plaque-aggregation ability than that of the control drugs. This suggests that Ce-Exo has a higher homing capacity and deeper penetration into the atherosclerotic plaque. In apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, Ce-Exo found to effectively remodel the immune microenvironment in the lesion area, repair endothelial cell damage, and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. This study provides a novel approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis and demonstrates the potential of cell-derived drug carriers in biomedicine.

A structured biomimetic nanoparticle as inflammatory factor sponge and autophagy-regulatory agent against intervertebral disc degeneration and discogenic pain

Lower back pain (LBP) is a common condition closely associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), causing a significant socioeconomic burden. Inflammatory activation in degenerated discs involves pro-inflammatory cytokines, dysregulated regulatory cytokines, and increased levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), leading to further intervertebral disc destruction and pain sensitization. Macrophage polarization is closely related to autophagy. Based on these pathological features, a structured biomimetic nanoparticle coated with TrkA-overexpressing macrophage membranes (TMNP@SR) with a rapamycin-loaded mesoporous silica core is developed. TMNP@SR acted like sponges to adsorbe inflammatory cytokines and NGF and delivers the autophagy regulator rapamycin (RAPA) into macrophages through homologous targeting effects of the outer engineered cell membrane. By regulating autophagy activation, TMNP@SR promoted the M1-to-M2 switch of macrophages to avoid continuous activation of inflammation within the degenerated disc, which prevented the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. In addition, TMNP@SR relieved mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, reduced calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) expression in the dorsal root ganglion, and downregulated GFAP and c-FOS signaling in the spinal cord in the rat IDD model. In summary, TMNP@SR spontaneously inhibits the aggravation of disc inflammation to alleviate disc degeneration and reduce the ingress of sensory nerves, presenting a promising treatment strategy for LBP induced by disc degeneration.

A Biomimetic Nanocarrier Strategy Targets Ferroptosis and Efferocytosis During Myocardial Infarction

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by irreversible cardiomyocyte death resulting from an inadequate supply of oxygenated blood to the myocardium. Recent studies have indicated that ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, exacerbates myocardial injury during MI. Concurrently, the upregulation of CD47 on the surface of damaged myocardium following MI impairs the clearance of dead cells by macrophages, thereby hindering efferocytosis. In this context, simultaneously inhibiting ferroptosis and enhancing efferocytosis may represent a promising strategy to mitigate myocardial damage post-MI.

Methods

In this study, we engineered platelet membrane-coated hollow mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (HMSN) to serve as a drug delivery system, encapsulating ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1, along with an anti-CD47 antibody. We aimed to assess the potential of these nanoparticles (designated as Fer-aCD47@PHMSN) to specifically target the site of MI and evaluate their efficacy in reducing cardiomyocyte death and inflammation.

Results

The platelet membrane coating on the nanoparticles significantly enhanced their ability to successfully target the site of myocardial infarction (MI). Our findings demonstrate that treatment with Fer-aCD47@PHMSN resulted in a 38.5% reduction in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis under hypoxia, indicated by decreased lipid peroxidation and increased in vitro. Additionally, Fer-aCD47@PHMSN improved cardiomyocyte efferocytosis by approximately 15% in vitro. In MI mice treated with Fer-aCD47@PHMSN, we observed a substantial reduction in cardiomyocyte death (nearly 30%), decreased inflammation, and significant improvement in cardiac function.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the cooperation between the two agents induced anti-ferroptosis effects and enhanced dead cardiomyocyte clearance by macrophage as well as anti-inflammation effects. Thus, our nanoparticle Fer-aCD47@PHMSN provides a new therapeutic strategy for targeted therapy of MI.

Surface-Functionalized Microgels as Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cells to Regulate Expansion of T Cells

Artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) are currently used to manufacture T cells for adoptive therapy in cancer treatment, but a readily tunable and modular system can enable both rapid T cell expansion and control over T cell phenotype. Here, it is shown that microgels with tailored surface biochemical properties can serve as aAPCs to mediate T cell activation and expansion. Surface functionalization of microgels is achieved via layer-by-layer coating using oppositely charged polymers, forming a thin but dense polymer layer on the surface. This facile and versatile approach is compatible with a variety of coating polymers and allows efficient and flexible surface-specific conjugation of defined peptides or proteins. The authors demonstrate that tethering appropriate stimulatory ligands on the microgel surface efficiently activates T cells for polyclonal and antigen-specific expansion. The expansion, phenotype, and functional outcome of primary mouse and human T cells can be regulated by modulating the concentration, ratio, and distribution of stimulatory ligands presented on microgel surfaces as well as the stiffness and viscoelasticity of the microgels.

Engineered Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles: New Strategies in Glioma Targeted Therapy and Immune Modulation

Gliomas, the most prevalent primary brain tumors, pose considerable challenges due to their heterogeneity, intricate tumor microenvironment (TME), and blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restrict the effectiveness of traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. This review provides an overview of engineered cell membrane technologies in glioma therapy, with a specific emphasis on targeted drug delivery and modulation of the immune microenvironment. This study investigates the progress in engineered cell membranes, encompassing physical, chemical, and genetic alterations, to improve drug delivery across the BBB and effectively target gliomas. The examination focuses on the interaction of engineered cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (ECM-NPs) with the TME in gliomas, emphasizing their potential to modulate glioma cell behavior and TME to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The review further explores the involvement of ECM-NPs in immunomodulation techniques, highlighting their impact on immune reactions. While facing obstacles related to membrane stability and manufacturing scalability, the review outlines forthcoming research directions focused on enhancing membrane performance. This review underscores the promise of ECM-NPs in surpassing conventional therapeutic constraints, proposing novel approaches for efficacious glioma treatment.

Near-Infrared Light-Activatable DNA Tentacles for Efficient Inhibition of Tumor Metastasis by Bio-Orthogonal Cell Assembly

Tumor metastasis remains a major challenge in cancer management. Among various treatment strategies, immune cell-based cancer therapy holds a great potential for inhibiting metastasis. However, its wide application in cancer therapy is restricted by complex preparations, as well as inadequate homing and controllability. Herein, we present a groundbreaking approach for bioorthogonally manipulating tumor-NK (natural killer) cell assembly to inhibit tumor metastasis. Multiple dibenzocyclootyne (DBCO) groups decorated long single-stranded DNA were tail-modified on core-shell upconversion nanoparticles (CSUCNPs) and condensed by photosensitive chemical linker (PC-Linker) DNA to shield most of the DBCO groups. On the one hand, the light-triggered DNA scaffolds formed a cross-linked network by click chemistry, effectively impeding tumor cell migration. On the other hand, the efficient cellular assembly facilitated the effective communication between tumor cells and NK-92 cells, leading to enhanced immune response against tumors and further suppression of tumor metastasis. These features make our strategy highly applicable to a wide range of metastatic cancers.

Recent progress in biomimetic nanomedicines based on versatile targeting strategy for atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis (AS) is considered to be one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. Its pathological microenvironment is characterised by increased production of reactive oxygen species, lipid oxides, and excessive inflammatory factors, which accumulate at the monolayer endothelial cells in the vascular wall to form AS plaques. Therefore, intervention in the pathological microenvironment would be beneficial in delaying AS. Researchers have designed biomimetic nanomedicines with excellent biocompatibility and the ability to avoid being cleared by the immune system through different therapeutic strategies to achieve better therapeutic effects for the characteristics of AS. Biomimetic nanomedicines can further enhance delivery efficiency and improve treatment efficacy due to their good biocompatibility and ability to evade clearance by the immune system. Biomimetic nanomedicines based on therapeutic strategies such as neutralising inflammatory factors, ROS scavengers, lipid clearance and integration of diagnosis and treatment are versatile approaches for effective treatment of AS. The review firstly summarises the targeting therapeutic strategy of biomimetic nanomedicine for AS in recent 5 years. Biomimetic nanomedicines using cell membranes, proteins, and extracellular vesicles as carriers have been developed for AS.

Genetically Engineered Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Enhanced Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Targeting and Ferroptosis Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Conventional androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) targets the androgen receptor (AR) inhibiting prostate cancer (PCa) progression; however, it can eventually lead to recurrence as castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), which has high mortality rates and lacks effective treatment modalities. The study confirms the presence of high glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, a key regulator of ferroptosis (i.e., iron-dependent program cell death) in CRPC cells. Therefore, inducing ferroptosis in CRPC cells might be an effective therapeutic modality for CRPC. However, nonspecific uptake of ferroptosis inducers can result in undesirable cytotoxicity in major organs. Thus, to precisely induce ferroptosis in CRPC cells, a genetic engineering strategy is proposed to embed a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting antibody fragment (gy1) in the macrophage membrane, which is then coated onto mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) nanoparticles to produce a biomimetic nanoplatform. The results indicate that the membrane-coated nanoparticles (MNPs) exhibit high specificity and affinity toward CRPC cells. On further encapsulation with the ferroptosis inducers RSL3 and iron ions, MPDA/Fe/RSL3@M-gy1 demonstrates superior synergistic effects in highly targeted ferroptosis therapy eliciting significant therapeutic efficacy against CRPC tumor growth and bone metastasis without increased cytotoxicity. In conclusion, a new therapeutic strategy is reported for the PSMA-specific, CRPC-targeting platform for ferroptosis induction with increased efficacy and safety.

Application of biomimetic nanovaccines in cancer immunotherapy: A useful strategy to help combat immunotherapy resistance

Breakthroughs in actual clinical applications have begun through vaccine-based cancer immunotherapy, which uses the body's immune system, both humoral and cellular, to attack malignant cells and fight diseases. However, conventional vaccine approaches still face multiple challenges eliciting effective antigen-specific immune responses, resulting in immunotherapy resistance. In recent years, biomimetic nanovaccines have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional vaccine approaches by incorporating the natural structure of various biological entities, such as cells, viruses, and bacteria. Biomimetic nanovaccines offer the benefit of targeted antigen-presenting cell (APC) delivery, improved antigen/adjuvant loading, and biocompatibility, thereby improving the sensitivity of immunotherapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of several kinds of biomimetic nanovaccines in anticancer immune response, including cell membrane-coated nanovaccines, self-assembling protein-based nanovaccines, extracellular vesicle-based nanovaccines, natural ligand-modified nanovaccines, artificial antigen-presenting cells-based nanovaccines and liposome-based nanovaccines. We also discuss the perspectives and challenges associated with the clinical translation of emerging biomimetic nanovaccine platforms for sensitizing cancer cells to immunotherapy.

Multiple Synergistic Effects of the Microglia Membrane-Bionic Nanoplatform on Mediate Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling to Amplify Glioblastoma Immunotherapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor with high levels of malignancy. Most chemotherapy agents show serious systemic cytotoxicity and restricted delivery effectiveness due to the impediments of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Immunotherapy has developed great potential for aggressive tumor treatments. Disappointingly, its efficacy against GBM is hindered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and BBB. Herein, a multiple synergistic immunotherapeutic strategy against GBM was developed based on the nanomaterial-biology interaction. We have demonstrated that this BM@MnP-BSA-aPD-1 can transverse the BBB and target the TME, resulting in amplified synergetic effects of metalloimmunotherapy and photothermal immunotherapy (PTT). The journey of this nanoformulation within the TME contributed to the activation of the stimulator of the interferon gene pathway, the initiation of the immunogenic cell death effect, and the inhibition of the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) signaling axis. This nanomedicine revitalizes the immunosuppressive TME and evokes the cascade effect of antitumor immunity. Therefore, the combination of BM@MnP-BSA-aPD-1 and PTT without chemotherapeutics presents favorable benefits in anti-GBM immunotherapy and exhibits immense potential for clinical translational applications.

Metabolism-Regulating Nanozyme System for Advanced Nanocatalytic Cancer Therapy

Nanocatalytic therapy, an emerging approach in cancer treatment, utilizes nanomaterials to initiate enzyme-mimetic catalytic reactions within tumors, inducing tumor-suppressive effects. However, the targeted and selective catalysis within tumor cells is challenging yet critical for minimizing the adverse effects. The distinctive reliance of tumor cells on glycolysis generates abundant lactate, influencing the tumor's pH, which can be manipulated to selectively activate nanozymatic catalysis. Herein, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) targeting lactate transporter-mediated efflux is encapsulated within the iron-based metal-organic framework (FeMOF) and specifically delivered to tumor cells through cell membrane coating. This approach traps lactate within the cell, swiftly acidifying the tumor cytoplasm and creating an environment for boosting the catalysis of the FeMOF nanozyme. The nanozyme generates hydroxyl radical (·OH) in the reversed acidic environment, using endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by mitochondria as a substrate. The induced cytoplasmic acidification disrupts calcium homeostasis, leading to mitochondrial calcium overload, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent tumor cell death. Additionally, the tumor microenvironment is also remodeled, inhibiting migration and invasion, thus preventing metastasis. This groundbreaking strategy combines metabolic regulation with nanozyme catalysis in a toxic drug-free approach for tumor treatment, holding promise for future clinical applications.

Boosting Checkpoint Immunotherapy with Biomimetic Nanodrug Delivery Systems

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has achieved unprecedented progress in tumor immunotherapy by blocking specific immune checkpoint molecules. However, the high biodistribution of the drug prevents it from specifically targeting tumor tissues, leading to immune-related adverse events. Biomimetic nanodrug delivery systems (BNDSs) readily applicable to ICB therapy have been widely developed at the preclinical stage to avoid immune-related adverse events. By exploiting or mimicking complex biological structures, the constructed BNDS as a novel drug delivery system has good biocompatibility and certain tumor-targeting properties. Herein, the latest findings regarding the aforementioned therapies associated with ICB therapy are highlighted. Simultaneously, prospective bioinspired engineering strategies can be designed to overcome the four-level barriers to drug entry into lesion sites. In future clinical translation, BNDS-based ICB combination therapy represents a promising avenue for cancer treatment.

Rational Design of Lipid-Based Vectors for Advanced Therapeutic Vaccines

Recent advancements in vaccine delivery systems have seen the utilization of various materials, including lipids, polymers, peptides, metals, and inorganic substances, for constructing non-viral vectors. Among these, lipid-based nanoparticles, composed of natural, synthetic, or physiological lipid/phospholipid materials, offer significant advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and safety, making them ideal for vaccine delivery. These lipid-based vectors can protect encapsulated antigens and/or mRNA from degradation, precisely tune chemical and physical properties to mimic viruses, facilitate targeted delivery to specific immune cells, and enable efficient endosomal escape for robust immune activation. Notably, lipid-based vaccines, exemplified by those developed by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna against COVID-19, have gained approval for human use. This review highlights rational design strategies for vaccine delivery, emphasizing lymphoid organ targeting and effective endosomal escape. It also discusses the importance of rational formulation design and structure-activity relationships, along with reviewing components and potential applications of lipid-based vectors. Additionally, it addresses current challenges and future prospects in translating lipid-based vaccine therapies for cancer and infectious diseases into clinical practice.

Recent advances in cell membrane camouflaged nanotherapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infection

Infectious diseases caused by bacterial infections are common in clinical practice. Cell membrane coating nanotechnology represents a pioneering approach for the delivery of therapeutic agents without being cleared by the immune system in the meantime. And the mechanism of infection treatment should be divided into two parts: suppression of pathogenic bacteria and suppression of excessive immune response. The membrane-coated nanoparticles exert anti-bacterial function by neutralizing exotoxins and endotoxins, and some other bacterial proteins. Inflammation, the second procedure of bacterial infection, can also be suppressed through targeting the inflamed site, neutralization of toxins, and the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. And platelet membrane can affect the complement process to suppress inflammation. Membrane-coated nanoparticles treat bacterial infections through the combined action of membranes and nanoparticles, and diagnose by imaging, forming a theranostic system. Several strategies have been discovered to enhance the anti-bacterial/anti-inflammatory capability, such as synthesizing the material through electroporation, pretreating with the corresponding pathogen, membrane hybridization, or incorporating with genetic modification, lipid insertion, and click chemistry. Here we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding the application of membrane-coated nanoparticles in preventing bacterial infections as well as addressing existing uncertainties and misconceptions.

Cell-membrane engineering strategies for clinic-guided design of nanomedicine

Cells are the fundamental units of life. The cell membrane primarily composed of two layers of phospholipids (a bilayer) structurally defines the boundary of a cell, which can protect its interior from external disturbances and also selectively exchange substances and conduct signals from the extracellular environment. The complexity and particularity of transmembrane proteins provide the foundation for versatile cellular functions. Nanomedicine as an emerging therapeutic strategy holds tremendous potential in the healthcare field. However, it is susceptible to recognition and clearance by the immune system. To overcome this bottleneck, the technology of cell membrane coating has been extensively used in nanomedicines for their enhanced therapeutic efficacy, attributed to the favorable fluidity and biocompatibility of cell membranes with various membrane-anchored proteins. Meanwhile, some engineering strategies of cell membranes through various chemical, physical and biological ways have been progressively developed to enable their versatile therapeutic functions against complex diseases. In this review, we summarized the potential clinical applications of four typical cell membranes, elucidated their underlying therapeutic mechanisms, and outlined their current engineering approaches. In addition, we further discussed the limitation of this technology of cell membrane coating in clinical applications, and possible solutions to address these challenges.

Application and advances of biomimetic membrane materials in central nervous system disorders

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases encompass spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic strokes. Recently, there has been a growing global recognition of CNS disorders as a leading cause of disability and death in humans and the second most common cause of death worldwide. The global burdens and treatment challenges posed by CNS disorders are particularly significant in the context of a rapidly expanding global population and aging demographics. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a challenge for effective drug delivery in CNS disorders, as conventional drugs often have limited penetration into the brain. Advances in biomimetic membrane nanomaterials technology have shown promise in enhancing drug delivery for various CNS disorders, leveraging properties such as natural biological surfaces, high biocompatibility and biosafety. This review discusses recent developments in biomimetic membrane materials, summarizes the types and preparation methods of these materials, analyzes their applications in treating CNS injuries, and provides insights into the future prospects and limitations of biomimetic membrane materials.

Autologous patient-derived exhausted nano T-cells exploit tumor immune evasion to engage an effective cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Active targeting by surface-modified nanoplatforms enables a more precise and elevated accumulation of nanoparticles within the tumor, thereby enhancing drug delivery and efficacy for a successful cancer treatment. However, surface functionalization involves complex procedures that increase costs and timelines, presenting challenges for clinical implementation. Biomimetic nanoparticles (BNPs) have emerged as unique drug delivery platforms that overcome the limitations of actively targeted nanoparticles. Nevertheless, BNPs coated with unmodified cells show reduced functionalities such as specific tumor targeting, decreasing the therapeutic efficacy. Those challenges can be overcome by engineering non-patient-derived cells for BNP coating, but these are complex and cost-effective approaches that hinder their wider clinical application. Here we present an immune-driven strategy to improve nanotherapeutic delivery to tumors. Our unique perspective harnesses T-cell exhaustion and tumor immune evasion to develop a groundbreaking new class of BNPs crafted from exhausted T-cells (NExT) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients by specific culture methods without sophisticated engineering.

METHODS

NExT were generated by coating PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles with TNBC-derived T-cells exhausted in vitro by acute activation. Physicochemical characterization of NExT was made by dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, and preservation and orientation of immune checkpoint receptors by flow cytometry. The efficacy of chemotherapy-loaded NExT was assessed in TNBC cell lines in vitro. In vivo toxicity was made in CD1 mice. Biodistribution and therapeutic activity of NExT were determined in cell-line- and autologous patient-derived xenografts in immunodeficient mice.

RESULTS

We report a cost-effective approach with a good performance that provides NExT naturally endowed with immune checkpoint receptors (PD1, LAG3, TIM3), augmenting specific tumor targeting by engaging cognate ligands, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, and disrupting the PD1/PDL1 axis in an immunotherapy-like way. Autologous patient-derived NExT revealed exceptional intratumor accumulation, heightened chemotherapeutic index and efficiency, and targeted the tumor stroma in a PDL1+ patient-derived xenograft model of triple-negative breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These advantages underline the potential of autologous patient-derived NExT to revolutionize tailored adoptive cancer nanotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy, which endorses their widespread clinical application of autologous patient-derived NExT.

Cell membrane coated nanoparticles as a biomimetic drug delivery platform for enhancing cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy, a burgeoning modality for cancer treatment, operates by activating the autoimmune system to impede the growth of malignant cells. Although numerous immunotherapy strategies have been employed in clinical cancer therapy, the resistance of cancer cells to immunotherapeutic medications and other apprehensions impede the attainment of sustained advantages for most patients. Recent advancements in nanotechnology for drug delivery hold promise in augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the efficacy is currently constrained by the inadequate specificity of delivery, low rate of response, and the intricate immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this context, the investigation of cell membrane coated nanoparticles (CMNPs) has revealed their ability to perform targeted delivery, immune evasion, controlled release, and immunomodulation. By combining the advantageous features of natural cell membranes and nanoparticles, CMNPs have demonstrated their unique potential in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. This review aims to emphasize recent research progress and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CMNPs as an innovative drug delivery platform for enhancing cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the current immunotherapeutic strategies involving different cell membrane types of CMNPs, with the intention of further exploration and optimization.

Natural biomimetic nano-system for drug delivery in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a literature review of the last 5 years

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by synovitis, leading to the destruction of articular cartilage and bone and ultimately resulting in joint deformity, loss of function, and a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Currently, a combination of anti-rheumatic drugs, hormonal drugs, and biologics is used to mitigate disease progression. However, conventional drug therapy has limited bioavailability, and long-term use often leads to drug resistance and toxic side effects. Therefore, exploring new therapeutic approaches for RA is of great clinical importance. Nanodrug delivery systems offer promising solutions to overcome the limitations of conventional drugs. Among them, liposomes, the first nanodrug delivery system to be approved for clinical application and still widely studied, demonstrate the ability to enhance therapeutic efficacy with fewer adverse effects through passive or active targeting mechanisms. In this review, we provide a review of the research progress on the targeting mechanisms of various natural biomimetic nano-delivery systems in RA therapy. Additionally, we predict the development trends and application prospects of these systems, offering new directions for precision treatment of RA.

Cell membrane coated nanoparticles: cutting-edge drug delivery systems for osteoporosis therapy

Osteoporosis, characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density, represents a prevalent skeletal disorder with substantial global health implications. Conventional therapeutic strategies, exemplified by bisphosphonates and hormone replacement regimens, though effective, encounter inherent limitations and challenges. Recent years have witnessed the surge of cell-membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMNPs) as a promising intervention for osteoporosis, leveraging their distinct attributes including refined biocompatibility, heightened pharmaceutical payload capacity, as well as targeted drug release kinetics. However, a comprehensive review consolidating the application of CMNPs-based therapy for osteoporosis remains absent within the existing literature. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the distinctive pathogenesis associated with osteoporosis, alongside an in-depth exploration of the physicochemical attributes intrinsic to CMNPs derived from varied cellular sources. Subsequently, we explore the potential utility of CMNPs, elucidating emerging trends in their deployment for osteoporosis treatment through multifaceted therapeutic approaches. By linking the notable attributes of CMNPs with their roles in mitigating osteoporosis, this review serves as a catalyst for further advances in the design of advanced CMNPs tailored for osteoporosis management. Ultimately, such progress is promising for enhancing outcomes in anti-bone loss interventions, paving the way for clinical translation in the near future.

Genetically Engineered Cytomembrane Nanovaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer nanovaccines have attracted widespread attention by inducing potent cytotoxic T cell responses to improve immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, while the lack of co-stimulatory molecules limits their clinical applications. Here, a genetically engineered cancer cytomembrane nanovaccine is reported that simultaneously overexpresses co-stimulatory molecule CD40L and immune checkpoint inhibitor PD1 to elicit robust antitumor immunity for cancer immunotherapy. The CD40L and tumor antigens inherited from cancer cytomembranes effectively stimulate dendritic cell (DC)-mediated immune activation of cytotoxic T cells, while the PD1 on cancer cytomembranes significantly blocks PD1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, synergistically stimulating antitumor immune responses. Benefiting from the targeting ability of cancer cytomembranes, this nanovaccines formula shows an enhanced lymph node trafficking and retention. Compared with original cancer cytomembranes, this genetically engineered nanovaccine induces twofold DC maturation and shows satisfactory precaution efficacy in a breast tumor mouse model. This genetically engineered cytomembrane nanovaccine offers a simple, safe, and robust strategy by incorporating cytomembrane components and co-stimulatory molecules for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.

Towards a More Efficient Breast Cancer Therapy Using Active Human Cell Membrane-Coated Metal-Organic Frameworks

The recent description of well-defined molecular subtypes of breast cancer has led to the clinical development of a number of successful molecular targets. Particularly, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer with historically poor outcomes, mainly due to the lack of effective targeted therapies. Recent progresses in materials science have demonstrated the impressive properties of metal-organic framework nanoparticles (NPs) as antitumoral drug delivery systems. Here, in a way to achieve efficient bio-interfaces with cancer cells and improve their internalization, benchmarked MIL-100(Fe) NPs were coated with cell membranes (CMs) derived from the human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-468. The prepared CMs-coated metal-organic framework (CMs_MIL-100(Fe)) showed enhanced colloidal stability, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-468 cells compared to non-coated NPs, paving the way for these human CMs-coated MIL-100(Fe) NPs as effective targeted therapies against the challenging TNBC.

Cancer Cell-Mimicking Prussian Blue Nanoplatform for Synergistic Mild Photothermal/Chemotherapy via Heat Shock Protein Inhibition

Combined mild-temperature photothermal/chemotherapy has emerged as a highly promising modality for tumor therapy. However, its therapeutic efficacy is drastically compromised by the heat-induced overexpression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) by the cells, which resist heat stress and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to downregulate HSPs and enhance the mild-temperature photothermal/chemotherapy effect. In detail, the colon cancer cell membrane (CT26M)-camouflaged HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib and the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX)-coloaded hollow mesoporous Prussian blue (HMPB) nanoplatform (named PGDM) were designed for synergistic mild photothermal/chemotherapy via HSP inhibition. In addition to being a photothermal agent with a high efficiency of photothermal conversion (24.13%), HMPB offers a hollow hole that can be filled with drugs. Concurrently, the cancer cell membrane camouflaging enhances tumor accumulation through a homologous targeting mechanism and gives the nanoplatform the potential to evade the immune system. When exposed to NIR radiation, HMPB's photothermal action (44 °C) not only causes tumor cells to undergo apoptosis but also causes ganetespib to be released on demand. This inhibits the formation of HSP90, which enhances the mild photothermal/chemotherapy effect. The results confirmed that the combined treatment regimen of mild photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy showed a better therapeutic efficacy than the individual treatment methods. Therefore, this multimodal nanoparticle can advance the development of drugs for the treatment of malignancies, such as colon cancer, and has prospects for clinical application.

Nanoparticles in tumor microenvironment remodeling and cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development have significantly improved the fight against cancers. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly in the clinical delivery of immunomodulatory compounds. The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising macrophages, fibroblasts, and immune cells, plays a crucial role in immune response modulation. Nanoparticles, engineered to reshape the TME, have shown promising results in enhancing immunotherapy by facilitating targeted delivery and immune modulation. These nanoparticles can suppress fibroblast activation, promote M1 macrophage polarization, aid dendritic cell maturation, and encourage T cell infiltration. Biomimetic nanoparticles further enhance immunotherapy by increasing the internalization of immunomodulatory agents in immune cells such as dendritic cells. Moreover, exosomes, whether naturally secreted by cells in the body or bioengineered, have been explored to regulate the TME and immune-related cells to affect cancer immunotherapy. Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, activated by pH, redox, and light conditions, exhibit the potential to accelerate immunotherapy. The co-application of nanoparticles with immune checkpoint inhibitors is an emerging strategy to boost anti-tumor immunity. With their ability to induce long-term immunity, nanoarchitectures are promising structures in vaccine development. This review underscores the critical role of nanoparticles in overcoming current challenges and driving the advancement of cancer immunotherapy and TME modification.

Membrane-coated nanoparticles as a biomimetic targeted delivery system for tumour therapy

Drug therapy towards tumours often causes adverse effects because of their non-specific nature. Membrane-coated technology and membrane-coated nanoparticles provide an advanced and promising platform of targeted and safe delivery. By camouflaging the nanoparticles with natural derived or artificially modified cell membranes, the nano-payloads are bestowed with properties from cell membranes such as longer circulation, tumour or inflammation-targeting, immune stimulation, augmenting the performance of traditional therapeutics. In this review, we review the development of membrane coating technology, and summarise the technical details, physicochemical properties, and research status of membrane-coated nanoparticles from different sources in tumour treatment. Finally, we also look forward to the prospects and challenges of transforming membrane coating technology from experiment into clinical use. Taken together, membrane-coated nanoparticles are bound to become one of the most potential anti-tumour strategies in the future.

Cancer cell membrane-coated nanoparticles: a promising anti-tumor bionic platform

Nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery systems have shown promise in tumor therapy. However, limitations such as susceptibility to immune clearance and poor targeting in a complex intercellular environment still exist. Recently, cancer cell membrane-encapsulated nanoparticles (CCM-NPs) constructed using biomimetic nanotechnology have been developed to overcome these problems. Proteins on the membrane surface of cancer cells can provide a wide range of activities for CCM-NPs, including immune escape and homologous cell recognition properties. Meanwhile, the surface of the cancer cell membrane exhibits obvious antigen enrichment, so that CCM-NPs can transmit tumor-specific antigen, activate a downstream immune response, and produce an effective anti-tumor effect. In this review, we first provided an overview of the functions of cancer cell membranes and summarized the preparation techniques and characterization methods of CCM-NPs. Then, we focused on the application of CCM-NPs in tumor therapy. In addition, we summarized the functional modifications of cancer cell membranes and compiled the patent applications related to CCM-NPs in recent years. Finally, we proposed the future challenges and directions of this technology in order to provide guidance for researchers in this field.

Particle-Based Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cell Systems for T Cell Activation in Adoptive T Cell Therapy

T cell-based adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has emerged as a promising treatment for various diseases, particularly cancers. Unlike other immunotherapy modalities, ACT involves directly transferring engineered T cells into patients to eradicate diseased cells; hence, it necessitates methods for effectively activating and expanding T cells in vitro. Artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) have been widely developed based on biomaterials, particularly micro- and nanoparticles, and functionalized with T cell stimulatory antibodies to closely mimic the natural T cell-APC interactions. Due to their vast clinical utility, aAPCs have been employed as an off-the-shelf technology for T cell activation in FDA-approved ACTs, and the development of aAPCs is constantly advancing with the emergence of aAPCs with more sophisticated designs and additional functionalities. Here, we review the recent advancements in particle-based aAPCs for T cell activation in ACTs. Following a brief introduction, we first describe the manufacturing processes of ACT products. Next, the design and synthetic strategies for micro- and nanoparticle-based aAPCs are discussed separately to emphasize their features, advantages, and limitations. Then, the impact of design parameters of aAPCs, such as size, shape, ligand density/mobility, and stiffness, on their functionality and biomedical performance is explored to provide deeper insights into the design concepts and principles for more efficient and safer aAPCs. The review concludes by discussing current challenges and proposing future perspectives for the development of more advanced aAPCs.

Lung metastasis-Harnessed in-Situ adherent porous organic nanosponge-mediated antigen capture for A self-cascaded detained dendritic cells and T cell infiltration

The infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes promises to suppress the most irresistible metastatic tumor for immunotherapy, yet immune privilege and low immunogenic responses in these aggressive clusters often restrict lymphocyte recruitment. Here, an in situ adherent porous organic nanosponge (APON) doubles as organ selection agent and antigen captor to overcome immune privilege is developed. With selective organ targeting, the geometric effect of APON composed of disc catechol-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) boosts the drug delivery to lung metastases. Along with a self-cascaded immune therapy, the therapeutic agents promote tumor release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and then, in situ deposition of gels to capture these antigens. Furthermore, APON with catechol analogs functions as a reservoir of antigens and delivers autologous DAMPs to detain dendritic cells, resulting in a sustained enhancement of immunity. This disc sponges (APON) at lung metastasis as antigen reservoirs and immune modulators effectively suppress the tumor in 60 days and enhanced the survival rate.

Engineered Macrophage Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles with Enhanced CCR2 Expression Promote Spinal Cord Injury Repair by Suppressing Neuroinflammation and Neuronal death

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disorder characterized by significant disability and limited treatment options. Mitigating the secondary inflammatory response following the initial injury is the primary focus of current research in the treatment of SCI. CCL2 (C─C motif chemokine ligand 2) serves as the primary regulator responsible for inflammatory chemotaxis of the majority of peripheral immune cells, blocking the CCL2-CCR2 (C─C chemokine receptor type 2) axis has shown considerable therapeutic potential for inflammatory diseases, including SCI. In this study, it presents a multifunctional biomimetic nanoplatform (CCR2-MM@PLGA/Cur) specifically designed to target the CCL2-CCR2 axis, which consisted of an engineered macrophage membrane (MM) coating with enhanced CCR2 expression and a PLGA (poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticle that encapsulated therapeutic drugs. CCR2 overexpression on MM not only enhanced drug-targeted delivery to the injury site, but also attenuated macrophage infiltration, microglia pro-inflammatory polarization, and neuronal apoptosis by trapping CCL2. Consequently, it facilitated neural regeneration and motor function recovery in SCI mice, enabling a comprehensive treatment approach for SCI. The feasibility and efficacy of this platform are confirmed through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays, offering new insights and potential avenues for further exploration in the treatment of SCI.

A modular approach to enhancing cell membrane-coated nanoparticle functionality using genetic engineering

Since their initial development, cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CNPs) have become increasingly popular in the biomedical field. Despite their inherent versatility and ability to enable complex biological applications, there is considerable interest in augmenting the performance of CNPs through the introduction of additional functionalities. Here we demonstrate a genetic-engineering-based modular approach to CNP functionalization that can encompass a wide range of ligands onto the nanoparticle surface. The cell membrane coating is engineered to express a SpyCatcher membrane anchor that can readily form a covalent bond with any moiety modified with SpyTag. To demonstrate the broad utility of this technique, three unique targeted CNP formulations are generated using different classes of targeting ligands, including a designed ankyrin repeat protein, an affibody and a single-chain variable fragment. In vitro, the modified nanoparticles exhibit enhanced affinity towards cell lines overexpressing the cognate receptors for each ligand. When formulated with a chemotherapeutic payload, the modularly functionalized nanoparticles display strong targeting ability and growth suppression in a murine tumour xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Our data suggest genetic engineering offers a feasible approach for accelerating the development of multifunctional CNPs for a broad range of biomedical applications.

Cancer Vaccines Designed Based the Nanoparticle and Tumor Cells for the Treatment of Tumors: A Perspective

Cancer vaccines based on tumor cell components have shown promising results in animal and clinical studies. The vaccine system contains abundant tumor antigen components, which can activate the immune system by antigens. However, their efficacy has been limited by the inability of antigens delivery, which are the core components of vaccines, further fail to be presented and activation of effective cells. Nanotechnology offers a novel platform to enhance the immunogenicity of tumor-associated antigens and deliver them to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) more efficiently. In addition, nanotreatment of tumor cells derivate active ingredients could also help improve the effectiveness of cancer vaccines. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of cancer vaccines by the combination of nanotechnology and tumor-based ingredients, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, virus-like particles and tumor cells membrane, tumor lysate, and specific tumor antigens. These nanovaccines have been designed to increase antigen uptake, prolong antigen presentation, and modulate immune responses through codelivery of immunostimulatory agents. We also further discuss challenges and opportunities in the clinical translation of these nanovaccines.

Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Precision Medicine: A Comprehensive Review of Coating Techniques for Tissue-Specific Therapeutics

Nanoencapsulation has become a recent advancement in drug delivery, enhancing stability, bioavailability, and enabling controlled, targeted substance delivery to specific cells or tissues. However, traditional nanoparticle delivery faces challenges such as a short circulation time and immune recognition. To tackle these issues, cell membrane-coated nanoparticles have been suggested as a practical alternative. The production process involves three main stages: cell lysis and membrane fragmentation, membrane isolation, and nanoparticle coating. Cell membranes are typically fragmented using hypotonic lysis with homogenization or sonication. Subsequent membrane fragments are isolated through multiple centrifugation steps. Coating nanoparticles can be achieved through extrusion, sonication, or a combination of both methods. Notably, this analysis reveals the absence of a universally applicable method for nanoparticle coating, as the three stages differ significantly in their procedures. This review explores current developments and approaches to cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, highlighting their potential as an effective alternative for targeted drug delivery and various therapeutic applications.

Cancer Cell Membrane-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

The nanodelivery system provides a novel direction for disease diagnosis and treatment; however, its delivery effectiveness is restricted by the short biological half-life and inadequate tumor targeting. The immune evasion properties and homologous targeting capabilities of natural cell membranes, particularly those of cancer cell membranes (CCM), have gained significant interest. The integration of CCM and nanoparticles has resulted in the emergence of CCM-based nanoplatforms (CCM-NPs), which have gained significant attention due to their unique properties. CCM-NPs not only prolong the blood circulation time of core nanoparticles, but also direct them for homologous tumor targeting. Herein, the history and development of CCM-NPs as well as how these platforms have been used for biomedical applications are discussed. The application of CCM-NPs for cancer therapy will be described in detail. Translational efforts are currently under way and further research to address key areas of need will ultimately be required to facilitate the successful clinical adoption of CCM-NPs.

Nano-induced endothelial leakiness-reversing nanoparticles for targeting, penetration and restoration of endothelial cell barrier

Nano-induced endothelial leakiness (NanoEL) can improve the ability of nanoparticles (NPs) to enter the tumor environment, nevertheless, it can inadvertently trigger adverse effects such as tumor metastasis. To overcome these concerns, it becomes important to develop a NPs design strategy that capitalizes on the NanoEL effect while averting unwanted side effects during the drug delivery process. Herein, we introduce the PLGA-ICG-PEI-Ang1@M NP which has a core comprising poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and the inner shell with a highly positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI) and the anti-permeability growth factor Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), while the outer shell is camouflaged with a Jurkat cell membrane. During the drug delivery process, our NPs exhibit their capability to selectively target and penetrate endothelial cell layers. Once the NPs penetrate the endothelial layer, the proton sponge effect triggered by PEI in the acidic environment surrounding the tumor site can rupture the cell membrane on the NPs' surface. This rupture, in turn, enables the positively charged Ang1 to be released due to the electrostatic repulsion from PEI and the disrupted endothelial layer can be restored. Consequently, the designed NPs can penetrate endothelial layers, promote the cell layer recovery, restrict the tumor metastasis, and facilitate efficient cancer therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.

Maintaining sidedness and fluidity in cell membrane coatings supported on nano-particulate and planar surfaces

Supported cell membrane coatings meet many requirements set to bioactive nanocarriers and materials, provided sidedness and fluidity of the natural membrane are maintained upon coating. However, the properties of a support-surface responsible for maintaining correct sidedness and fluidity are unknown. Here, we briefly review the properties of natural membranes and membrane-isolation methods, with focus on the asymmetric distribution of functional groups in natural membranes (sidedness) and the ability of molecules to float across a membrane to form functional domains (fluidity). This review concludes that hydrophilic sugar-residues of glycoproteins in the outer-leaflet of cell membranes direct the more hydrophobic inner-leaflet towards a support-surface to create a correctly-sided membrane coating, regardless of electrostatic double-layer interactions. On positively-charged support-surfaces however, strong, electrostatic double-layer attraction of negatively-charged membranes can impede homogeneous coating. In correctly-sided membrane coatings, fluidity is maintained regardless of whether the surface carries a positive or negative charge. However, membranes are frozen on positively-charged, highly-curved, small nanoparticles and localized nanoscopic structures on a support-surface. This leaves an unsupported membrane coating in between nanostructures on planar support-surfaces that is in dual-sided contact with its aqueous environment, yielding enhanced fluidity in membrane coatings on nanostructured, planar support-surfaces as compared with smooth ones.

Ultrasound-nanovesicles interplay for theranostics

Nanovesicles (NVs) are widely used in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases due to their excellent vascular permeability, good biocompatibility, high loading capacity, and easy functionalization. However, their yield and in vivo penetration depth limitations and their complex preparation processes still constrain their application and development. Ultrasound, as a fundamental external stimulus with deep tissue penetration, concentrated energy sources, and good safety, has been proven to be a patient-friendly and highly efficient strategy to overcome the restrictions of traditional clinical medicine. Recent research has shown that ultrasound can drive the generation of NVs, increase their yield, simplify their preparation process, and provide direct therapeutic effects and intelligent control to enhance the therapeutic effect of NVs. In addition, NVs, as excellent drug carriers, can enhance the targeting efficiency of ultrasound-based sonodynamic therapy or sonogenetic regulation and improve the accuracy of ultrasound imaging. This review provides a detailed introduction to the classification, generation, and modification strategies of NVs, emphasizing the impact of ultrasound on the formation of NVs and summarizing the enhanced treatment and diagnostic effects of NVs combined with ultrasound for various diseases.

Exploring the Impact of Nanoparticle Stealth Coatings in Cancer Models: From PEGylation to Cell Membrane-Coating Nanotechnology

Nanotechnological platforms offer advantages over conventional therapeutic and diagnostic modalities. However, the efficient biointerfacing of nanomaterials for biomedical applications remains challenging. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) with different coatings have been developed to reduce nonspecific interactions, prolong circulation time, and improve therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to compare various NP coatings to enhance surface engineering for more effective nanomedicines. We prepared and characterized polystyrene NPs with different coatings of poly(ethylene glycol), bovine serum albumin, chitosan, and cell membranes from a human breast cancer cell line. The coating was found to affect the colloidal stability, adhesion, and elastic modulus of NPs. Protein corona formation and cellular uptake of NPs were also investigated, and a 3D tumor model was employed to provide a more realistic representation of the tumor microenvironment. The prepared NPs were found to reduce protein adsorption, and cell-membrane-coated NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in human monocytes after incubation with the prepared NPs was evaluated. Overall, the study demonstrates the importance of coatings in affecting the behavior and interaction of nanosystems with biological entities. The findings provide insight into bionano interactions and are important for the effective implementation of stealth surface engineering designs.

Efficacy and Mechanism of a Biomimetic Nanosystem Carrying Doxorubicin and an IDO Inhibitor for Treatment of Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Introduction

Chemotherapy is still the treatment of choice for advanced triple-negative breast cancer. Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy is being tried in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. As a kind of "cold tumor", triple-negative breast cancer has a bottleneck in immunotherapy. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 inhibitors can reverse the immunosuppressive state and enhance the immune response.

Methods

In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles were coated with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 inhibitor 1-Methyl-DL-tryptophan (1-MT), and then encapsulate the surfaces of a triple-negative breast cancer cell membrane to construct the tumor dual-targeted delivery system CDIMSN for chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and to investigate the immunogenic death effect of CDIMSN.

Results and discussion

The CDIMSN could target the tumor microenvironment. Doxorubicin induced tumor immunogenic death, while 1-MT reversed immunosuppression. In vivo findings showed that the tumor size in the CDIMSN group was 2.66-fold and 1.56-fold smaller than that in DOX and DIMSN groups, respectively. CDIMSN group was better than naked DIMSN in stimulating CD8+T cells, CD4+T cells and promoting Dendritic Cells(DC) maturation. In addition, blood analysis, biochemical analysis and Hematoxylin staining analysis of mice showed that the bionic nanoparticles had good biological safety.

Cell membrane-based biomimetic technology for cancer phototherapy: Mechanisms, recent advances and perspectives

Despite significant advances in medical technology and antitumour treatments, the diagnosis and treatment of tumours have undergone remarkable transformations. Noninvasive phototherapy methods, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), have gained significant interest in antitumour medicine. However, traditional photosensitisers or photothermal agents face challenges like immune system recognition, rapid clearance from the bloodstream, limited tumour accumulation, and phototoxicity concerns. Researchers combine photosensitisers or photothermal agents with natural cell membranes to overcome these obstacles to create a nano biomimetic therapeutic platform. When used to coat nanoparticles, red blood cells, platelets, cancer cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and bacterial outer membranes could provide prolonged circulation, tumour targeting, immune stimulation, or antigenicity. This article covers the principles of cellular membrane biomimetic nanotechnology and phototherapy, along with recent advancements in applying nano biomimetic technology to PDT, PTT, PCT, and combined diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the challenges and issues of using nano biomimetic nanoparticles in phototherapy are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Currently, there has been significant progress in the field of cell membrane biomimetic technology. Researchers are exploring its potential application in tumor diagnosis and treatment through phototherapy. Scholars have conducted extensive research on combining cell membrane technology and phototherapy in anticancer diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to highlight the mechanisms of phototherapy and the latest advancements in single phototherapy (PTT, PDT) and combination phototherapy (PCT, PRT, and PIT), as well as diagnostic approaches. The review provides an overview of various cell membrane technologies, including RBC membranes, platelet membranes, macrophage cell membranes, tumour cell membranes, bacterial membranes, hybrid membranes, and their potential for anticancer applications under phototherapy. Lastly, the review discusses the challenges and future directions in this field.

Targeted therapies of inflammatory diseases with intracellularly gelated macrophages in mice and rats

Membrane-camouflaged nanomedicines often suffer from reduced efficacy caused by membrane protein disintegration and spatial disorder caused by separation and reassembly of membrane fragments during the coating process. Here we show that intracellularly gelated macrophages (GMs) preserve cell membrane structures, including protein content, integration and fluidity, as well as the membrane lipid order. Consequently, in our testing GMs act as cellular sponges to efficiently neutralize various inflammatory cytokines via receptor-ligand interactions, and serve as immune cell-like carriers to selectively bind inflammatory cells in culture medium, even under a flow condition. In a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis, GMs alleviate the joint injury, and suppress the overall arthritis severity. Upon intravenous injection, GMs efficiently accumulate in the inflammatory lungs of acute pneumonia mice for anti-inflammatory therapy. Conveniently, GMs are amenable to lyophilization and can be stored at ambient temperatures for at least 1 month without loss of integrity and bio-activity. This intracellular gelation technology provides a universal platform for targeted inflammation neutralization treatment.

Nanoparticle-based immunoengineering strategies for enhancing cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy is a groundbreaking strategy that has revolutionized the field of oncology compared to other therapeutic strategies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. However, cancer complexity, tumor heterogeneity, and immune escape have become the main hurdles to the clinical application of immunotherapy. Moreover, conventional immunotherapies cause many harmful side effects owing to hyperreactivity in patients, long treatment durations and expensive cost. Nanotechnology is considered a transformative approach that enhances the potency of immunotherapy by capitalizing on the superior physicochemical properties of nanocarriers, creating highly targeted tissue delivery systems. These advantageous features include a substantial specific surface area, which enhances the interaction with the immune system. In addition, the capability to finely modify surface chemistry enables the achievement of controlled and sustained release properties. These advances have significantly increased the potential of immunotherapy, making it more powerful than ever before. In this review, we introduce recent nanocarriers for application in cancer immunotherapy based on strategies that target different main immune cells, including T cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and tumor-associated macrophages. We also provide an overview of the role and significance of nanotechnology in cancer immunotherapy.

Lipid-Centric Design of Plasma Membrane-Mimicking Nanocarriers for Targeted Chemotherapeutic Delivery

The plasma membranes (PM) of mammalian cells contain diverse lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates that are important for systemic recognition and communication in health and disease. Cell membrane coating technology that imparts unique properties of natural plasma membranes to the surface of encapsulated nanoparticles is thus becoming a powerful platform for drug delivery, immunomodulation, and vaccination. However, current coating methods fail to take full advantage of the natural systems because they disrupt the complex and functionally essential features of PMs, most notably the chemical diversity and compositional differences of lipids in two leaflets of the PM. Herein, a new lipid coating approach is reported in which the lipid composition is optimized through a combination of biomimetic and systematic variation approaches for the custom design of nanocarrier systems for precision drug delivery. Nanocarriers coated with the optimized lipids offer unique advantages in terms of bioavailability and efficiency in tumor targeting, tumor penetration, cellular uptake, and drug release. This pilot study provides new insight into the rational design and optimization of nanocarriers for cancer chemotherapeutic drugs and lays the foundation for further customization of cell membrane-mimicking nanocarriers through systematic incorporation of other components.

Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles Mediated Nucleic Acids Delivery

Nucleic acids have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for many diseases because of their potential in modulating gene expression. However, the delivery of nucleic acids remains a significant challenge in gene therapy. Although viral vectors have shown high transfection efficiency, concerns regarding teratogenicity or carcinogenicity have been raised. Non-viral vehicles, including cationic polymers, liposomes, and inorganic materials possess advantages in terms of safety, ease of preparation, and low cost. Nevertheless, they also face limitations related to immunogenicity, quick clearance in vivo, and lack of targeting specificity. On the other hand, bioinspired strategies have shown increasing potential in the field of drug delivery, yet there is a lack of comprehensive reviews summarizing the rapid development of bioinspired nanoparticles based on the cell membrane camouflage to construct the nucleic acids vehicles. Herein, we enumerated the current difficulties in nucleic acid delivery with various non-viral vehicles and provided an overview of bioinspired strategies for nucleic acid delivery.

Recent Advances of Multifunctional PLGA Nanocarriers in the Management of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Even though chemotherapy stands as a standard option in the therapy of TNBC, problems associated with it such as anemia, bone marrow suppression, immune suppression, toxic effects on healthy cells, and multi-drug resistance (MDR) can compromise their effects. Nanoparticles gained paramount importance in overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Among the various options, nanotechnology has appeared as a promising path in preclinical and clinical studies for early diagnosis of primary tumors and metastases and destroying tumor cells. PLGA has been extensively studied amongst various materials used for the preparation of nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery and adjuvant therapy because of their capability of higher encapsulation, easy surface functionalization, increased stability, protection of drugs from degradation versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Furthermore, this review also provides an overview of PLGA-based nanoparticles including hybrid nanoparticles such as the inorganic PLGA nanoparticles, lipid-coated PLGA nanoparticles, cell membrane-coated PLGA nanoparticles, hydrogels, exosomes, and nanofibers. The effects of all these systems in various in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC were explained thus pointing PLGA-based NPs as a strategy for the management of TNBC.

Anti-Tumor Immunity Induced by a Ternary Membrane System Derived From Cancer Cells, Dendritic Cells, and Bacteria

Cancer vaccines generally are limited by insufficient tumor-specific cellular immunogenicity. Herein, a potent "ABC" ternary membrane-derived vaccine system blended from antigen-presenting mature dendritic cell membranes ("A"), bacterial E. coli cytoplasmic membranes ("B"), and cancer cell membranes ("C") is developed using a block-copolymer micelle-enabled approach. The respective ABC membrane components provide for a source of cellular immune communication/activation and enhanced accumulation in lymph nodes (A), immunological adjuvant (B), and tumor antigens (C). The introduction of dendritic cell (DC) membranes enables multiple cell-to-cell communication and powerful immune activation. ABC activates dendritic cells and promotes T-cell activation and proliferation in vitro. In vivo, ABC is 14- and 304-fold more immunogenic than binary (BC) and single (C) membrane vaccines, and immunization with ABC enhances the frequency of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to an 80% cure rate in tumor-bearing mice. In a surgical resection and recurrence model, ABC prevents recurrence with vaccination from autologous cancer membranes, and therapeutic effects are observed in a lung metastasis model even with heterologous cancer cell membranes. ABCs formed from human cancer patient-derived tumor cells activate human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC). Taken together, the ternary ABC membrane system provides the needed functional components for personalized cancer immunotherapy.

Advanced targeted drug delivery by bioengineered white blood cell-membrane camouflaged nanoparticulate delivery nanostructures

Targeted drug delivery has emerged as a pivotal approach within precision medicine, aiming to optimize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. Leukocyte membrane coated nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted a lot of interest as an effective approach for delivering targeted drugs, capitalizing on the natural attributes of leukocytes to achieve site-specific accumulation, and heightened therapeutic outcomes. An overview of the present state of the targeted medication delivery research is given in this review. Notably, Leukocyte membrane-coated NPs offer inherent advantages such as immune evasion, extended circulation half-life, and precise homing to inflamed or diseased tissues through specific interactions with adhesion molecules. leukocyte membrane-coated NPs hold significant promise in advancing targeted drug delivery for precision medicine. As research progresses, they are anticipated to contribute to improved therapeutic outcomes, enabling personalized and effective treatments for a wide range of diseases and conditions. The review covers the method of preparation, characterization, and biological applications of leucocytic membrane coated NPs. Further, patents related factors, gap of translation from laboratory to clinic, and future prospective were discussed in detail. Overall, the review covers extensive literature to establish leucocytic membrane NPs for targeted drug delivery.

A Personalized Cancer Nanovaccine that Enhances T-Cell Responses and Efficacy Through Dual Interactions with Dendritic Cells and T Cells

Conventional approaches to developing therapeutic cancer vaccines that primarily activate tumor-specific T cells via dendritic cells (DCs) often demonstrate limited efficacy due to the suboptimal activation of these T cells. To address this limitation, here a therapeutic cancer nanovaccine is developed that enhances T cell responses by interacting with both DCs and T cells. The nanovaccine is based on a cancer cell membrane nanoparticle (CCM-MPLA) that utilizes monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) as an adjuvant. To allow direct interaction between the nanovaccine and tumor-specific T cells, anti-CD28 antibodies (aCD28) are conjugated onto CCM-MPLA, resulting in CCM-MPLA-aCD28. This nanovaccine activates tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in both the presence and absence of DCs. Compared with nanovaccines that interact with either DCs (CCM-MPLA) or T cells (CCM-aCD28), CCM-MPLA-aCD28 induces more potent responses of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and exhibits a higher antitumor efficacy in tumor-bearing mice. No differences in T cell activation efficiency and therapeutic efficacy are observed between CCM-MPLA and CCM-aCD28. This approach may lead to the development of effective personalized therapeutic cancer vaccines prepared from autologous cancer cells.