Probing the Interaction Between Supercarrier RBC Membrane and Nanoparticles for Optimal Drug Delivery

Red blood cell (RBC) membrane-hitchhiking nanoparticles (NPs) have been an increasingly popular supercarrier for targeted drug delivery. However, the kinetic details of the shear-induced NP detachment process from RBC in blood flow remain unclear. Here, we perform detailed computational simulations of the traversal dynamics of an RBC-NP composite supercarrier with tunable properties. We show that the detachment of NPs from RBC occurs in a shear-dependent manner which is consistent with previous experiment results. We quantify the NP detachment rate in the microcapillary flow, and our simulation results suggest that there may be an optimal adhesion strength span of 25-40 lJ/m2 for rigid spherical NPs to improve the supercarrier performance and targeting efficiency. In addition, we find that the stiff-ness and the shape of NPs alter the detachment efficiency by changing the RBC-NP contact areas. Together, these findings provide unique insights into the shear-dependent NP release from the RBC sur-face, facilitating the clinical utility of RBC-NP composite supercarriers in targeted and localized drug deliv-ery with high precision and efficiency.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Red blood cell-surface hitchhiking nanoparticles have shown great potential for targeted drug delivery. In this study, computational simulations were performed to investigate the detachment process of nanoparticles from red blood cells under shear flow. The results revealed a shear-dependent detachment mechanism, with an optimal adhesion strength range identified for improving the performance and targeting efficiency of the composite supercarriers. Furthermore, the stiffness and shape of nanoparticles were found to affect the detachment efficiency by altering the contact area with red blood cells. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of shear-driven nanoparticle release strategies for targeted and localized drug delivery.