Inhalable neutrophil-mimicking nanoparticles for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an intractable disease with thick mucus layer in bronchi and alveoli, frequently accompanied by bacterial infection. Anti-bacterial drugs with mucus penetrating are urgently needed for efficient COPD treatment. Here, a neutrophil-mimicking nanovehicle was developed by coating neutrophil membrane onto poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing antibiotics levofloxacin (LVX). Neutrophil membrane coated nanoparticles (LVX@PLGA@Mem) reserved most of the membrane proteins and related membrane functions of neutrophil, exhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines neutralization, inflammation inhibition, successfully delivering LVX through the mucus layer and achieving satisfactory anti-infection effects. Thus, LVX@PLGA@Mem after inhalation could remarkably reduce inflammation and infection in the lung with COPD. Therefore, neutrophil mimicking nanovehicles may be a feasible and desirable drug carrier for lung-related disease treatment in further clinic.