Cell-Derived Biomimetic 2D Nanoparticles to Improve Cell-Specific Targeting and Tissue Penetration for Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A critical challenge of nanoparticle-based imaging diagnosis of cancers is limited accumulation of nanoparticles at the biological target. Here, a cancer cell derived membrane coated 2D layered double hydroxides nanoparticle (CM-PEG/MnLDH) has been developed to realize both cell-specific targeting and deep tissue penetration for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors. Using 4T1 breast cancer cells as a model, the biomimetic CM-PEG/MnLDH exhibited excellent cell-specific targeting ability with significantly higher accumulation in homologous cancer cells than the nonhomologous cells. Using 3D tumor spheroid cultures, the CM-PEG/MnLDH demonstrated highly selective binding and deep tissue penetration ability. In vivo imaging revealed that intravenous injection of CM-PEG/MnLDH provides clear MRI of tumor tissues in a 4T1 mouse model. Particularly, the CM-PEG/MnLDH showed enhanced imaging performance in the central region of tumors, owing to the cell homing and tissue penetration ability of the biomimetic nanoparticle. In vivo biosafety evaluation of the CM-PEG/MnLDH showed a high degree of biocompatibility, signifying its suitability for further clinical applications. The biomimetic CM-PEG/MnLDH nanoparticle featured with cell-specific targeting ability and deep tissue penetration is a promising MRI contrast agent for precise cancer diagnosis.

Automated summary

A cancer cell derived membrane coated 2D layered double hydroxides nanoparticle (CM-PEG/MnLDH) has been developed for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors. The biomimetic CM-PEG/MnLDH exhibited excellent cell-specific targeting ability and deep tissue penetration. The in vivo imaging results show that the CM-PEG/MnLDH provides clear MRI of tumor tissues, especially in the central region of tumors, demonstrating its potential as a promising MRI contrast agent for precise cancer diagnosis.