Emerging role of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles in targeted therapy for brain disorders

Brain disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, as well as conditions like multiple sclerosis and ischemic stroke, represent a significant global health burden. These disorders are often marked by progressive neuronal degeneration, cognitive impairment, and motor dysfunction. Effective therapeutic intervention remains a challenge due to the protective but restrictive nature of blood-CNS barriers, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits drug delivery to the brain. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising solutions for addressing these barriers. However, issues such as limited biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and suboptimal pharmacokinetics still hinder their widespread application. Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNPs) offer a novel approach to overcome these challenges. These biomimetic nanocarriers integrate natural cell membranes sourced from red blood cells, platelets, or stem cells, with nanoparticles, enhancing biocompatibility, immune evasion, and BBB penetration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in CMCNPs for brain disorders, highlighting their design, fabrication methods, and therapeutic potential. The unique properties of CMCNPs, such as prolonged systemic circulation, targeted drug delivery, and enhanced BBB permeability, make them promising candidates for neuroprotective and theranostic applications.