Neutrophil-based delivery platforms: from natural mechanisms to engineered therapeutics

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Nanomedicine
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Neutrophils are crucial innate immune cells involved in phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and immune sensing.
• The integration of neutrophil biology with nanomaterial science has spurred the creation of novel neutrophil-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs).
• These systems, including biomimetic approaches, offer targeted delivery capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and elucidate the mechanisms of neutrophil-mediated targeting strategies for drug delivery.
• To survey diverse approaches for constructing NDDSs, encompassing live cell and biomimetic strategies.
• To explore emerging immunometabolic perspectives and future clinical applications of NDDSs.

Main Methods:

• Live cell delivery strategies: cell loading, in vivo capture, surface modification, and gene editing.
• Neutrophil-mimicking approaches: utilizing neutrophil membranes, exosomes, and neutrophil-like cells.
• Functionalization and drug loading/release manipulation for precise disease intervention.

Main Results:

• NDDSs can exploit inherent neutrophil properties for targeted delivery to specific disease sites.
• Various construction methods, from live cells to biomimetic materials, enable versatile NDDS development.
• Manipulation of drug loading, release, and neutrophil function allows for precise disease regulation.

Conclusions:

• NDDSs represent a promising platform for targeted drug delivery by harnessing neutrophil functions.
• Further research into immunometabolic approaches and overcoming clinical challenges is essential for advancing NDDSs.
• Successful clinical translation requires addressing manufacturing, safety, and efficacy considerations.