Materials for Cell Surface Engineering

Abstract

Cell therapies are emerging as a promising new therapeutic modality in medicine, generating effective treatments for previously incurable diseases. Clinical success of cell therapies has energized the field of cellular engineering, spurring further exploration of novel approaches to improve their therapeutic performance. Engineering of cell surfaces using natural and synthetic materials has emerged as a valuable tool in this endeavor. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of technologies for decorating cell surfaces with various materials including nanoparticles, microparticles, and polymeric coatings, focusing on the ways in which surface decorations enhance carrier cells and therapeutic effects. Key benefits of surface‐modified cells include protecting the carrier cell, reducing particle clearance, enhancing cell trafficking, masking cell‐surface antigens, modulating inflammatory phenotype of carrier cells, and delivering therapeutic agents to target tissues. While most of these technologies are still in the proof‐of‐concept stage, the promising therapeutic efficacy of these constructs from in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies has laid a strong foundation for eventual clinical translation. Cell surface engineering with materials can imbue a diverse range of advantages for cell therapy, creating opportunities for innovative functionalities, for improved therapeutic efficacy, and transforming the fundamental and translational landscape of cell therapies.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 06, 2023
Source ID
10.1002/adma.202210059

Entities

People

  • Andrew Lu
  • Kolade Adebowale
  • Neha Kapate
  • Rick Liao
  • Samir Mitragotri
  • Vineeth Chandran Suja
  • Yongsheng Gao

Organizations

  • Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
  • Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • Harvard University
  • National Science Foundation
  • Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Oncology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech