Erythrocyte–Platelet Hybrid Membrane Coating for Enhanced Nanoparticle Functionalization

TLDR

Cell‑membrane‑coated nanoparticles are increasingly studied for their biocompatibility, retention of cellular properties, and versatility across therapeutic and imaging applications, with coatings derived from various cell types such as RBCs, platelets, white blood cells, cancer cells, and bacteria. This study creates a dual‑cell membrane coating by fusing red blood cell and platelet membranes to enhance nanoparticle functionality. RBC–platelet hybrid membrane‑coated nanoparticles were fabricated by fusing the two membranes and characterized to confirm that they retain properties of both source cells. The RBC‑PNP platform shows prolonged circulation, suitability for in vivo exploration, and provides a versatile, biocompatible platform that may overcome limitations of current nanoparticle‑based therapeutic and imaging strategies.

Abstract

Cell‐membrane‐coated nanoparticles have recently been studied extensively for their biological compatibility, retention of cellular properties, and adaptability to a variety of therapeutic and imaging applications. This class of nanoparticles, which has been fabricated with a variety of cell membrane coatings, including those derived from red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, white blood cells, cancer cells, and bacteria, exhibit properties that are characteristic of the source cell. In this study, a new type of biological coating is created by fusing membrane material from two different cells, providing a facile method for further enhancing nanoparticle functionality. As a proof of concept, the development of dual‐membrane‐coated nanoparticles from the fused RBC membrane and platelet membrane is demonstrated. The resulting particles, termed RBC–platelet hybrid membrane‐coated nanoparticles ([RBC‐P]NPs), are thoroughly characterized, and it is shown that they carry properties of both source cells. Further, the [RBC‐P]NP platform exhibits long circulation and suitability for further in vivo exploration. The reported strategy opens the door for the creation of biocompatible, custom‐tailored biomimetic nanoparticles with varying hybrid functionalities, which may be used to overcome the limitations of current nanoparticle‐based therapeutic and imaging platforms.