Leukocyte-Like Nanoparticles May Revolutionize Targeted Drug Delivery

These novel bioactive particles were dubbed "LeukoLike Vectors" or LLVs.

Experimental evidence revealed that LLvs could avoid being cleared by the immune system. They communicated with endothelial cells through receptor–ligand interactions, and transported and released a drug payload across an inflamed reconstructed endothelium. Moreover, LLVs retained their functions when injected in vivo, showing enhanced circulation time and improved accumulation in a tumor.

"Our goal was to make a particle that is camouflaged within our bodies and escapes the surveillance of the immune system to reach its target undiscovered," said senior author Dr. Ennio Tasciotti, professor of nanomedicine at the Methodist Hospital Research Institute. "We accomplished this with the lipids and proteins present on the membrane of the very same cells of the immune system. We transferred the cell membranes to the surfaces of the particles and the result is that the body now recognizes these particles as its own and does not readily remove them."

"LLVs are dotted with proteins that help the particles reach specific targets, from inflamed or damaged tissues to cancer cells recruiting blood vessels," said Dr. Tasciotti. "Over time the membrane lipids and proteins will break away, leaving the nanoparticles to degrade naturally after releasing their payload. I expect this technology to become a new player in the crowded world of drug delivery system thanks to the opportunities it offers for the personalization of drug therapies."

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Methodist Hospital Research Institute