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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Balancing Speed, Cost, and Accuracy in Neutrophil Function Assessment with NeutroFun Screen Protocol
Published on: February 9, 2024
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Theranostic Toolbox for Neutrophil Functionalization
Pascal Bouvain1, Kay-Matthias Thomy1, Anika Maria Prinz2
1Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 30, 2025
Summary
This study developed nanoparticle tools to control neutrophil functions for treating inflammation. These nanotheranostics can target neutrophils to enhance healing or reduce damage, improving disease outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Neutrophils are vital immune cells for pathogen defense and wound healing.
- Dysregulated neutrophil activity can exacerbate inflammation and tissue damage.
- Targeted modulation of neutrophil function is needed for effective disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a nanoparticle-based toolbox for directing neutrophil phenotypes.
- To develop a theranostic approach for monitoring and modulating neutrophil functions.
- To tailor neutrophil responses for specific inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Development of neutrophil-specific fluorine nanoparticles with peptide modifications.
- Utilizing 19F MRI for background-free in vivo monitoring.
- Testing modulation of effector functions in murine and human neutrophils.
- Application in a mouse model of bacteria-driven acute colitis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated specific modulation of neutrophil effector functions.
- Enabled non-invasive in vivo monitoring of neutrophil infiltration.
- Showed attenuation or amplification of neutrophil functions in disease models.
- Successfully ameliorated tissue damage in acute colitis.
Conclusions:
- The engineered nanotheranostic approach allows visualization and control of neutrophil functionality.
- This technology can be tailored to specific inflammatory environments.
- It offers a promising strategy for personalized neutrophil immunotherapy to improve disease outcomes.
