Efferocytosis-inspired nanodrug treats sepsis by alleviating inflammation and secondary immunosuppression

Biomed Mater. 2023 Aug 22;18(5). doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/acef9a.

Abstract

Uncontrolled inflammation storm induced by sepsis may lead to severe organ dysfunction and secondary immunosuppression, which is one of the main reasons for high mortality and prolonged hospitalization of septic patients. However, there is a lack of effective treatments for it at present. Here, we report an efferocytosis-inspired nanodrug (BCN@M) to treat sepsis and secondary immunosuppression via regulating the macrophage function. Bioactive molecular curcumin was loaded with bovine serum albumin and then coated with the damaged erythrocyte membrane derived from septic mice. It was found that the septic erythrocytes promoted the efferocytosis signal and BCN@M uptake efficiency by macrophages. The well-constructed BCN@M nanodrug reduced the hyperinflammation in sepsis and restored the bacterial clearance ability of macrophage in the secondary immunosuppression state. This study highlights BCN@M as an efferocytosis-inspired nanodrug to alleviate hyperinflammation and secondary immunosuppression of sepsis.

Keywords: curcumin; efferocytosis; erythrocytes; macrophage; sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Phagocytosis
  • Sepsis* / drug therapy