Red blood cells inspire next-generation therapeutic nanocarriers
Red blood cells serve as the foundation for nanocarriers that show promise in a new study as effective and efficient vehicles for gene therapy, tumor targeting and other medical treatments. Scientists at The Ohio State University have showed that the engineered extracellular vesicles could evade immune cells and target cancer cells, two capabilities that could improve the delivery of future…
Scientists at The Ohio State University have developed engineered extracellular vesicles from red blood cell lipids as highly versatile nanocarriers for gene therapy and targeted tumor treatment. These vesicles, mimicking natural extracellular vesicles, maintain biocompatibility and exhibit enhanced cargo-loading flexibility. By utilizing microfluidics, the researchers can incorporate a wide range of therapeutic cargo, such as genetic material, proteins, and viruses, during the vesicle formation process.
The vesicles demonstrated promising tumor targeting capabilities by incorporating PD-L1-recognition molecules, resulting in preferential uptake by PD-L1-positive breast cancer tumors. In mice, the engineered vesicles circulated throughout the body and accumulated significantly in the lungs, showcasing their potential for lung-specific drug delivery.
Encapsulating therapeutic adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) within these vesicles protected them from neutralizing antibodies, ensuring successful gene therapy delivery. The technology's biocompatibility, controllable composition, and varied cargo capabilities position engineered red blood cell extracellular vesicles as promising candidates for future therapeutic applications.
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