Table of content entry Biomimetic dual membrane-functionalized nanoparticles, incorporating the natural properties of two different cell types, are fabricated by a facile process employing fused cell membranes. The resulting hybrid cell membrane-coated nanoparticles retain protein markers from each source cell and combine the unique functions of both. The reported approach opens the door for the fabrication of biocompatible nanocarriers with increasingly complex functionality.

Cardiovascular disease represents one of the major causes of death across the global population. Atherosclerosis, one of its most common drivers, is characterized by the gradual buildup of arterial plaque over time, which can ultimately lead to life-threatening conditions. Given the impact of the disease on public health, there is a great need for effective and noninvasive imaging modalities that can provide valuable information on its biological underpinnings during development. Here, we leverage the role of platelets in atherogenesis to design nanocarriers capable of targeting multiple biological elements relevant to plaque development. Biomimetic nanoparticles are prepared by coating platelet membrane around a synthetic nanoparticulate core, the product of which is capable of interacting with activated endothelium, foam cells, and collagen. The effects are shown to be exclusive to platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles. These biomimetic nanocarriers are not only capable of efficiently localizing to well-developed atherosclerotic plaque, but can also target subclinical regions of arteries susceptible to plaque formation. Using a commonly employed magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, live detection is demonstrated using an animal model of atherosclerosis. Ultimately, this strategy may be leveraged to better assess the development of atherosclerosis, offering additional information to help clinicians better manage the disease.

Graphical abstract A nanotoxoid concurrently carrying pathogen-specific antigens is fabricated on-demand by leveraging the interactions between naturally secreted bacterial virulence factors and cell membrane-coated nanoparticles. The nanovaccine is confirmed to carry and neutralize known toxins from a model bacterium, and is capable of significantly controlling bacteria growth when used to vaccinate mice. The reported approach may provide new avenues for controlling the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

No abstract

No abstract

Despite the application of aggressive surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in clinics, brain tumors are still a difficult health challenge due to their fast development and poor prognosis. Brain tumor-targeted drug delivery systems, which increase drug accumulation in the tumor region and reduce toxicity in normal brain and peripheral tissue, are a promising new approach to brain tumor treatments. Since brain tumors exhibit many distinctive characteristics relative to tumors growing in peripheral tissues, potential targets based on continuously changing vascular characteristics and the microenvironment can be utilized to facilitate effective brain tumor-targeted drug delivery. In this review, we briefly describe the physiological characteristics of brain tumors, including blood–brain/brain tumor barriers, the tumor microenvironment, and tumor stem cells. We also review targeted delivery strategies and introduce a systematic targeted drug delivery strategy to overcome the challenges.

Blood transfusion is oftentimes required for patients suffering from acute trauma or undergoing surgical procedures in order to help maintain the body’s oxygen levels. The continued demand worldwide for blood products is expected to put significant strain on available resources and infrastructure. Unfortunately, efforts to develop viable alternatives to human red blood cells for transfusion have generally been unsuccessful. Here, we report on a hybrid natural–synthetic nanodelivery platform that combines the biocompatibility of natural RBC membrane with the oxygen carrying ability of perfluorocarbons. The resulting formulation can be stored long-term and exhibits a high capacity for oxygen delivery, helping to mitigate the effects of hypoxia in vitro. In an animal model of hemorrhagic shock, mice are resuscitated at an efficacy comparable to whole blood infusion. By leveraging the advantageous properties of its constituent parts, this biomimetic oxygen delivery system may have the potential to address a critical need in the clinic.

The increasing popularity of biomimetic design principles in nanomedicine has led to therapeutic platforms with enhanced performance and biocompatibility. This includes the use of naturally derived cell membranes, which can bestow nanocarriers with cell-specific functionalities. Herein, we report on a strategy enabling efficient encapsulation of drugs via remote loading into membrane vesicles derived from red blood cells. This is accomplished by supplementing the membrane with additional cholesterol, stabilizing the nanostructure and facilitating the retention of a pH gradient. We demonstrate the loading of two model drugs: the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin and the antibiotic vancomycin. The therapeutic implications of these natural, remote-loaded nanoformulations are studied both in vitro and in vivo using animal disease models. Ultimately, this approach could be used to design new biomimetic nanoformulations with higher efficacy and improved safety profiles.