Synthetic nanoparticles functionalized with biomimetic leukocyte membranes possess cell-like functions

• Published in: Nature nanotechnology Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 61 - 68
• Main Authors: Parodi, Alessandro, Quattrocchi, Nicoletta, van de Ven, Anne L., Chiappini, Ciro, Evangelopoulos, Michael, Martinez, Jonathan O., Brown, Brandon S., Khaled, Sm Z., Yazdi, Iman K., Enzo, Maria Vittoria, Isenhart, Lucas, Ferrari, Mauro, Tasciotti, Ennio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.01.2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/925/352/152; 639/925/352/2733; 639/925/357/354; Animals; Biodistribution; Biological Transport; Biomimetics; Biomimetics - methods; Cell Adhesion; Endothelium; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Immune system; Leukocytes; Leukocytes - chemistry; Leukocytes - metabolism; Liver - chemistry; Liver - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental - chemistry; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental - metabolism; Materials Science; Membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Biological; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Phagocytosis; Polyethylene glycol; Proteins; Silicon; Tumors; United States > US; Italy; Texas
• ISSN: 1748-3387; 1748-3395
• DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2012.212

The therapeutic efficacy of systemic drug-delivery vehicles depends on their ability to evade the immune system, cross the biological barriers of the body and localize at target tissues. White blood cells of the immune system—known as leukocytes—possess all of these properties and exert their targeting ability through cellular membrane interactions. Here, we show that nanoporous silicon particles can successfully perform all these actions when they are coated with cellular membranes purified from leukocytes. These hybrid particles, called leukolike vectors, can avoid being cleared by the immune system. Furthermore, they can communicate with endothelial cells through receptor–ligand interactions, and transport and release a payload across an inflamed reconstructed endothelium. Moreover, leukolike vectors retained their functions when injected in vivo , showing enhanced circulation time and improved accumulation in a tumour. Camouflaging nanoporous silicon particles by functionalizing them with membranes isolated from white blood cells can delay their removal from the body and improve their accumulation in tumours.