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Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Microfluidic Platform for Measuring Neutrophil Chemotaxis from Unprocessed Whole Blood
Published on: June 3, 2014
Enzyme Catalysis Biomotor Engineering of Neutrophils for Nanodrug Delivery and Cell-Based Thrombolytic Therapy
Jinrong Zheng1, Ruiqiang Qi1, Cuilian Dai1
1Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 2999 Jinshan Road, Huli District, Xiamen, China 361006.
Abstract:
Utilizing neutrophils (NEs) to target and deliver nanodrugs to inflammation sites has received considerable attention. NEs are involved in the formation and development of thrombosis by transforming into neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); this indicates that NEs may be a natural thrombolytic drug delivery carrier. However, NEs lack an effective power system to overcome blood flow resistance and enhance targeting efficiency. Herein, we report the application of a urease catalysis micromotor powered NEs nanodrug delivery system to promote thrombolysis and suppress rethrombosis. The urease micromotor powered Janus NEs (UM-NEs) were prepared by immobilizing the enzyme asymmetrically onto the surface of natural NEs and then loading urokinase (UK) coupled silver (Ag) nanoparticles (Ag-UK) to obtain the UM-NEs (Ag-UK) system. Urease catalytic endogenous urea is used to generate thrust by producing ammonia and carbon dioxide, which propels NEs actively targeting the thrombus. The UM-NEs (Ag-UK) can be activated by enriched inflammatory cytokines to release NETs at the thrombosis site, resulting in a concomitant release of Ag-UK. Ag-UK induces thrombolysis to restore vascular recanalization. This urease micromotor-driven NEs drug delivery system can significantly reduce the hemorrhagic side effects, promote thrombolysis, and inhibit rethrombosis with high bioavailability and biosafety, which can be used for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

