Erythrocyte Membrane-coated Nanoparticle (RBC-NP) Engineering Technology

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells (RBCs), which are the most prevalent form of blood cell in humans and represent nature's long-circulating carrier, are the cell types widely explored as a source for membrane coating. With over a decade of experience and state-of-the-art cell surface engineering platforms, Creative Biolabs provides erythrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticle (RBC-NP) engineering technology to effectively support our customers' requirements.

RBC-NP Engineering Technology

Nanotechnology has been widely applied in diagnosis (e.g., molecular imaging) and therapy (e.g., drug delivery). However, due to their intrinsic alien nature, many synthetic nanoparticles (NPs) are quickly captured by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and have a short blood retention time, even for the PEGylated formulation. Recently, the direct use of naturally derived biomembrane as a coating material represents an advanced strategy to overcome this critical issue for NPs functionalization.

When RBC membranes are used to coat NPs, the resultant particles exhibit surface antigens consistent with a "self" identity, allowing them to significantly enhance circulation residence time and immune-evading capabilities. RBC membrane is only semi-permeable, thus ensuring that a sustained release can be achieved when utilizing RBC-NPs. These properties make RBC-NP a truly appealing candidate for drug delivery, which is a field that has long benefited from the use of long-circulating, lowly immunogenic nanocarriers.

Creative Biolabs has been a long-term expert in cell membrane coating development. Based on our deep understanding of RBC membranes, our scientists have built up one-stop solutions to generate and engineer high-quality RBC-NP for our customers all over the world. Through this fast, simple, and cost-effective technique, a variety of NPs, including nanoshells, nanorods, nanocages, and hollow nanospheres, can be efficiently coated conjugated with the RBC membranes.

Fig.1 Generation of RBC-NP. (Rao, 2016)

Applications of RBC-NP Engineering Technology

• Drug Delivery

In the past few years, RBCs have been a significant research interest topic to achieve effective drug delivery, owing to their excellent biocompatibility, limited immunogenicity, flexibility, and prolonged circulation. In one recent report, mesoporous silica nanocapsule coated with RBC membrane exhibit long-term circulation in the bloodstream, allowing for effective drug release and tumor imaging.

• Phototherapy

Inspired by a novel RBC membrane camouflage strategy, a research group reports a rational design of RBC-derived membrane coated MNCs (MNC@RBCs) for imaging-guided photothermal anti-tumor treatment. By merely introducing this biomimetic membrane coating, MNC@RBCs could be administered intravenously, achieving greatly altered in vivo behavior, with well-preserved imaging and photothermal capabilities, leading to a significantly enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) performance.

Fig.2 Applications of RBC-NP. (Rao, 2016)

As an experienced expert in cell membrane coating, Creative Biolabs provides comprehensive RBC-NP technology to support our clients for numerous challenging RBC-NP development programs. Please feel free to send us your specific demands. Our professional scientist will reply to you as soon as possible.

Reference

1. Rao, L.; et al. Synthetic nanoparticles camouflaged with biomimetic erythrocyte membranes for reduced reticuloendothelial system uptake. Nanotechnology. 2016, 27(8), p.085106.