Immune Cell Membrane‐Coated Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Cancer is one of the preeminent causes of morbidity and mortality across the world, with a remarkable burden and strain on individuals and communities. [1] Several conventional and novel modalities have been employed in recent decades to overcome therapeutic challenges of cancer, depending on the Nanotechnology has provided great opportunities for managing neoplastic conditions at various levels, from preventive and diagnostic to therapeutic fields. However, when it comes to clinical application, nanoparticles (NPs) have some limitations in terms of biological stability, poor targeting, and rapid clearance from the body. Therefore, biomimetic approaches, utilizing immune cell membranes, are proposed to solve these issues. For example, macrophage or neutrophil cell membrane coated NPs are developed with the ability to interact with tumor tissue to suppress cancer progression and metastasis. The functionality of these particles largely depends on the surface proteins of the immune cells and their preserved function during membrane extraction and coating process on the NPs. Proteins on the outer surface of immune cells can render a wide range of activities to the NPs, including prolonged blood circulation, remarkable competency in recognizing antigens for enhanced targeting, better cellular interactions, gradual drug release, and reduced toxicity in vivo. In this review, nano-based systems coated with immune cells-derived membranous layers, their detailed production process, and the applicability of these biomimetic systems in cancer treatment are discussed. In addition, future perspectives and challenges for their clinical translation are also presented.

Unleashing the potential of cell membrane-based nanoparticles for COVID-19 treatment and vaccination

“…For example, while cancer cell membrane coatings may be preferred to target cancer cells via a homotypic targeting mechanism and enable enhanced cancer-targeted therapies [ 142 , 143 ], immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils may be equally preferred for targeting cancer [ 144–147 ] and manage inflammation and infection [ 103 , 133 , 135 , 148–150 ]. Hence, in the case of COVID-19, certain cells with intrinsic biofunctionalities may emerge as preferential source of cell membranes for coating nanoparticles, namely: (1) RBCs, providing prolonged blood circulation and immune evasion of payload-loaded nanoparticle cores ( Figure 8(a )) [ 151 ]; (2) immune cells as inflammation and infection mediators, such as macrophages [ 135 , 147 ] and neutrophils [ 150 ], due to their innate recruitment to diseased tissues and intrinsic targeting ability for accumulation at inflammatory sites, and dendritic cells for lymph node targeting [ 152 ] ( Figure 8(b )); additionally, they may act as nanodecoys for SARS-CoV-2 immobilization and as inflammatory cytokine-absorbing nanosponges [ 19 , 65 ]; (3) host epithelial cells, such as epithelial lung cells, as preferred targeted cells by SARS-CoV-2 and acting as nanodecoys mediating SARS-CoV-2 immobilization and neutralization, diverting SARS-CoV-2 from its natural targets ( Figure 8(c )); (4) platelets, owing to their mechanical flexibility and innate tropism to inflamed endothelium, injured tissue and vasculature ( Figure 8(d )) [ 153 , 154 ].…”

“…According to the desired application, specific cell membrane coatings may be preferred on account of their biointerfacing properties. For example, while cancer cell membrane coatings may be preferred to target cancer cells via a homotypic targeting mechanism and enable enhanced cancer-targeted therapies [142,143], immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils may be equally preferred for targeting cancer [144][145][146][147] and manage inflammation and infection [103,133,135,[148][149][150]. Hence, in the case of COVID-19, certain cells with intrinsic biofunctionalities may emerge as preferential source of cell membranes for coating nanoparticles, namely: (1) RBCs, providing prolonged blood circulation and immune evasion of payload-loaded nanoparticle cores (Figure 8(a)) [151];…”

“…(2) immune cells as inflammation and infection mediators, such as macrophages [135,147] and neutrophils [150], due to their innate recruitment to diseased tissues and intrinsic targeting ability for accumulation at inflammatory sites, and dendritic cells for lymph node targeting [152] (Figure 8(b)); additionally, they may act as nanodecoys for SARS-CoV-2 immobilization and as inflammatory cytokine-absorbing nanosponges [19,65];…”

Recent Advances of Cell Membrane Coated Nanoparticles in Treating Cardiovascular Disorders

“…Ever since RBC membrane coating technology was first reported, countless investigations have been implemented to explore its therapeutic and diagnostic potential, for example in cancer therapy [ 119 , 120 ]. As mentioned in this review, various cell membranes are applied to prolong circulation time and endow nanoparticles with active targeting properties and inflammatory cytokines neutralization activity to treat CVDs (related studies have been integrated in Table 3 ).…”

Platelet–Tumor Cell Hybrid Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Enhancing Therapy Efficacy in Glioma

“…In recent years, natural cellular membranes, including red blood cell [12] , white blood cell [13] , platelet [14] , macrophage [15] , and cancer cell [16] membranes, have been used to create membrane materials. Cell membrane-based biomimetic nanomaterials, while retaining the bioengineering exibility of the core, functionalize the NPs with various cellular membrane strategies that endow the nanomaterials with many desirable features [17] .…”