Erythrocytes and Nanoparticles: New Therapeutic Systems

Abstract

Nano-delivery systems represent one of the most studied fields, thanks to the associated improvement in the treatment of human diseases. The functionality of nanostructures is a crucial point, which the effectiveness of nanodrugs depends on. A hybrid approach strategy using synthetic nanoparticles (NPs) and erythrocytes offers an optimal blend of natural and synthetic materials. This, in turn, allows medical practitioners to exploit the combined advantages of erythrocytes and NPs. Erythrocyte-based drug delivery systems have been investigated for their biocompatibility, as well as the long circulation time allowed by specific surface receptors that inhibit immune clearance. In this review, we will discuss several methods—whole erythrocytes as drug carriers, red blood cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles and nano-erythrosomes (NERs)—while paying attention to their application and specific preparation methods. The ability to target cells makes erythrocytes excellent drug delivery systems. They can carry a wide range of therapeutic molecules while also acting as bioreactors; thus, they have many applications in therapy and in the diagnosis of many diseases.

Drug Delivery Systems in Regenerative Medicine: An Updated Review

“…Despite their efficacy, some issues should be considered when using RBCs as a delivery system. Surface conjugation of drugs reduces the elasticity and deformability of RBCs, leading to accelerated clearance by the endothelial reticulum system and a decreased circulation time [ 213 ].…”

Recent Advances in Blood Cell-Inspired and Clot-Targeted Thrombolytic Therapies

“…Tese anuclear cells are biocompatible, deformable, and abundant, having a concentration of ∼ 4.2 − 6.1 × 10 9 /mL of blood. RBCs have a large surface area of ∼140 um 2 [18,26] and a long natural half-life of ∼70-120 days [27][28][29]. While RBCs do not have direct thrombus targeting abilities intrinsically, they can be engineered with motifs or nanoparticles to create a camoufaged and targeted therapeutic vehicle.…”

Recent Progress in Red Blood Cells-Derived Particles as Novel Bioinspired Drug Delivery Systems: Challenges and Strategies for Clinical Translation

“…The synthesis and assembly of the RBC membranes with the nanoparticles of interest is pivotal for designing RBC-camouflaged nanoparticles. Extrusion ( Guo et al, 2018 ) and sonication are the most commonly used techniques for preparation of RBC-camouflaged nanoparticles ( Figure 3 ) ( Guido et al, 2021 ). However, in situ polymerisation and microfluidic electroporation are less popular, and are gradually being explored considering the difficulties in the synthesis processes, reproducibility and scale-up challenges associated with the manufacturing for clinical translation.…”

“… Synthesis of nano-erythrosomes using extrusion and sonication approaches. Adapted from Guido et al (2021) . Copyright @ 2021 (MDPI).…”