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Red Blood Cell-Shaped Microparticles with a Red Blood Cell Membrane Demonstrate Prolonged Circulation Time in Blood

Koichiro Hayashi1,2, Shota Yamada1, Wataru Sakamoto1

  • 1Division of Materials Research, Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.

ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mimicking red blood cell (RBC) shape and surface structure significantly prolongs microparticle (MP) circulation time. Covering MPs with an RBC membrane (RBCM) enhances their presence in blood, improving potential as drug delivery systems (DDSs).

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Prolonging circulation time (CT) of microparticles (MPs) is crucial for effective microparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDSs).
  • Previous research showed that mimicking red blood cell (RBC) shape can reduce MP accumulation in the spleen and lungs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effectiveness of mimicking both the shape and surface structure of RBCs to prolong MP circulation time.
  • To evaluate the impact of a native RBC membrane (RBCM) covering on the in vivo behavior of RBC-shaped MPs.

Main Methods:

  • RBC-shaped MPs (RBC-MPs) were fabricated using electrospraying with cellulose.
  • The RBC-MPs were subsequently coated with a native RBC membrane (RBCM) from mouse blood.
  • The circulation time and biodistribution of RBCM-covered RBC-MPs (RBC-MPs@RBCM) were compared to unmodified RBC-MPs in mice following intravenous injection.

Main Results:

  • RBCM-covered RBC-MPs showed significantly prolonged circulation time compared to unmodified RBC-MPs.
  • Approximately twice as many RBC-MPs@RBCM were detected in the blood after 7 hours.
  • The concentration of RBC-MPs@RBCM in the blood was 4 times higher at 24 hours postinjection.

Conclusions:

  • Coating microparticles with a native RBC membrane substantially enhances their circulation time in vivo.
  • This RBC membrane coating strategy offers a promising approach to improve the efficacy of microparticle-based drug delivery systems.
Keywords:
biodistributionbiomimeticsdrug deliverynanomedicinesmart materials

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