Biomimetic nanoparticles for inflammation targeting

Abstract

There have been many recent exciting developments in biomimetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Inflammation, a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators directed against harmful stimuli, is closely associated with many human diseases. As a result, biomimetic nanoparticles mimicking immune cells can help achieve molecular imaging and precise drug delivery to these inflammatory sites. This review is focused on inflammation-targeting biomimetic nanoparticles and will provide an in-depth look at the design of these nanoparticles to maximize their benefits for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Biomimetic nanoparticles; CAM, cellular adhesion molecule; CCL5, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5; CD40L, cluster of differentiation 40 ligand; CTC, circulating tumor cell; CTL, cytotoxic T cell or CD8+ T cell; CXCL4, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4; CXCR1, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 1; Cell membrane; Cell membrane proteins; Cy7, cyanine 7; DC, dendritic cell; DSPE-PEG, distearoyl Phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol); GPIV, glycoprotein IV; GPIX, glycoprotein IX; GPIbα, glycoprotein Ibα; GPV, glycoprotein V; GPVI, glycoprotein VI; HUVEC, umbilical cord vascular endothelial cell; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; ICAM-1, intercellular cellular adhesion molecule-1; IL, interleukin; IgG, immunoglobulin G; Immune cells; Inflammation targeting; LFA-1, lymphocyte function associated antigen-1; LLV, leukocyte-like vector; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; Mac-1, macrophage adhesion molecule-1; Molecular imaging; NM-NP, neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticle; PECAM-1, platelet-endothelial cellular adhesion molecule-1; PLA-PEG, poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol); PLGA, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); PNP, platelet membrane-cloaked nanoparticle; PSGL-1, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RBC, red blood cell; SLeX, sialyl lewis X; SPIO, super paramagnetic iron oxide; TGF-β, transforming growth factor β; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Targeting ligands; Th cell, T-helper cell or CD4+ T cell; VCAM-1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1; VLA-4, very late antigen-4; VWF, Von Willebrand factor; apoE–/– mice, Apolipoprotein e knockout mice.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1

Schematic of how leukocytes adhere to inflammation sites and how nanoparticles mimic this mechanism. Cited with permission from Ref. . Copyright Elsevier, 2011.

Figure 2

Schematic graph of different strategies of inflammation-targeting biomimetic nanoparticles. Orange or red balls indicate drugs encapsulated in grey synthetic nanoparticles or green liposomes.