Apoptotic Cell Membrane-Inspired Polymer for Immunosuppression

Apoptotic cell death serves important roles in homeostasis by eliminating dangerous, damaged, or unnecessary cells without causing an inflammatory response by externalizing phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet in the phospholipid bilayer. In this study, we newly designed apoptotic cell membrane-inspired monomer and polymer which have the phosphoryl serine group as the anti-inflammatory functional moiety and demonstrate here for the first time that administration of an apoptotic cell membrane-inspired phosphorylserine polymer can protect murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) from lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Interestingly, statistical copolymers with phosphorylcholine monomer that mimicked more precisely the apoptotic cell membrane result in more effective suppression of macrophage activation. This study provides new insights into the rational design of effective polymeric materials for anti-inflammatory therapies.