Chimeric apoptotic bodies functionalized with natural membrane and modular delivery system for inflammation...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) show therapeutic potential but require optimized engineering strategies.
• Developing functional EVs necessitates careful selection of vesicle types and engineering approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct chimeric apoptotic bodies (cABs) for on-demand inflammation modulation.
• To integrate apoptotic body (AB) membranes and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) into a modular system.

Main Methods:

• MSNs were loaded with anti-inflammatory agents (microRNA-21 or curcumin) and modified with stimuli-responsive molecules.
• Chimeric apoptotic bodies (cABs) were created by combining AB membranes and drug-loaded MSNs.
• The targeting and immunomodulatory effects of cABs on macrophages were investigated.

Main Results:

• The cABs successfully targeted macrophages in inflammatory regions.
• cABs promoted M2 polarization of macrophages, effectively modulating inflammation.
• The synergistic effects of AB membranes and released cargos enhanced therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• This study presents a modular engineering strategy for EVs, combining natural vesicle advantages with synthetic material functionalities.
• The developed cABs offer a versatile platform for targeted drug delivery and inflammation modulation.
• This approach provides a framework for engineering modular EVs for diverse therapeutic applications.