Macrophage cells are critical components of the immune response. Macrophage cell-based delivery systems are a promising field in cell therapy. Creative Biolabs, as an experienced cell therapy CRO, can assist in the engineering of macrophage cells loaded with multiple cargos.
Macrophages
Macrophages are tissue-resident immune cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system, which play a role in both the adaptive and innate immune systems. Tissue Macrophages were either established prior to birth or self-sustaining through bone marrow-derived monocyte recruitment. Macrophage function and phenotype change in response to their microenvironment. They can be transiently polarized into the M1 or M2 phenotypes, with M1 being the classically activated proinflammatory phenotype and M2 being the activated anti-inflammatory type.
Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of the construction of ‘Macrophage-NPs’ and their targeting delivery into brain tumor. (Liang, 2016)
Advantages of Macrophage-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems
Because of their inherent properties, macrophages have a high capacity for delivering cargos to solid tumors. They have the ability to cross biological barriers, penetrate deep into tumors, and accumulate in particularly hypoxic and poorly vascularized areas that are difficult to access. Additionally, Macrophage is an excellent therapeutic cell for re-modulating the suppressive tumor microenvironment.
Live macrophages uptake the drugs or nanoparticles by phagocytosis. Drug-carrying macrophages can escape host immune system surveillance, extending the persistence time and half-life of a drug. Furthermore, macrophages have multiple surface receptors that allow for the targeted delivery of various payloads.
Our Capabilities
Our teams are proficient in a wide range of technologies used in macrophage engineering processes. At Creative Biolabs, macrophages act as Trojan horses to deliver cytokines, drugs, and drug-loaded nanoparticles to TME. Alternatively, they are armed with engineered receptors.
We offer primary macrophages and macrophage cell lines:
Human PBMC-derived macrophages
Human PBMC-derived monocytes
Human monocyte-derived macrophages
Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM)
Mouse bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs)
Years of experience in macrophage research allow us to advise clients on the best macrophage products for potent delivery advantage. We provide products tailored to client specifications by combining chemical and cell biology expertise with cutting-edge instrumentation. Please contact us if you want to collaborate with our experts to accelerate your program.
Reference
Liang, P.; et al. Exploiting macrophages as targeted carrier to guide nanoparticles into glioma. Oncotarget vol. 7,24 (2016): 37081-37091.