Challenges in the research and development of new human vaccines

Cell membrane-coated biomimetic nanomedicines: productive cancer theranostic tools

As the second-leading cause of human death, cancer has drawn attention in the area of biomedical research and therapy from all around the world. Certainly, the development of nanotechnology has made it possible for nanoparticles (NPs) to be used as a carrier for delivery systems in the treatment of tumors. This is a biomimetic approach established to craft remedial strategies comprising NPs cloaked with membrane obtained from various natural cells like blood cells, bacterial cells, cancer cells, etc. Here we conduct an in-depth exploration of cell membrane-coated NPs (CMNPs) and their extensive array of applications including drug delivery, vaccination, phototherapy, immunotherapy, MRI imaging, PET imaging, multimodal imaging, gene therapy and a combination of photothermal and chemotherapy. This review article provides a thorough summary of the most recent developments in the use of CMNPs for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It critically assesses the state of research while recognizing significant accomplishments and innovations. Additionally, it indicates ongoing problems in clinical translation and associated queries that warrant deeper research. By doing so, this study encourages creative thinking for future projects in the field of tumor therapy using CMNPs while also educating academics on the present status of CMNP research.

Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for the treatment of bacterial infection

Despite the enormous success of antibiotics in antimicrobial therapy, the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance and the complexity of the bacterial infection microenvironment make traditional antibiotic therapy face critical challenges against resistant bacteria, antitoxin, and intracellular infections. Consequently, there is a critical need to design antimicrobial agents that target infection microenvironment and alleviate antibiotic resistance. Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNPs) are biomimetic materials that can be obtained by wrapping the cell membrane vesicles directly onto the surface of the nanoparticles (NPs) through physical means. Incorporating the biological functions of cell membrane vesicles and the superior physicochemical properties of NPs, CMCNPs have shown great promise in recent years for targeting infections, neutralizing bacterial toxins, and designing bacterial infection vaccines. This review highlights topics where CMCNPs present great value in advancing the treatment of bacterial infections, including drug delivery, detoxification, and vaccination. Lastly, we discuss the future hurdles and prospects of translating this technique into clinical practice, providing a comprehensive review of the technological developments of CMCNPs in the treatment of bacterial infections. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.

Toxoid Vaccination against Bacterial Infection Using Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles

As nanoparticles exhibit unique properties attractive for vaccine development, they have been progressively implemented as antigen delivery platforms and immune potentiators. Recently, cell membrane-coated nanoparticles have provided a novel approach for intercepting and neutralizing bacterial toxins by leveraging their natural affinity to cellular membranes. Such toxin-nanoparticle assemblies, termed nanotoxoids, allow rapid loading of different types of toxins and have been investigated for their ability to effectively confer protection against bacterial infection. This topical review will cover the current progress in antibacterial vaccine nanoformulations and highlight the nanotoxoid platform as a novel class of nanoparticulate vaccine. We aim to provide insights into the potential of nanotoxoids as a platform that is facile to implement and can be broadly applied to help address the rising threat of super pathogens.

Immunomics: a 21st century approach to vaccine development for complex pathogens

Immunomics is a relatively new field of research which integrates the disciplines of immunology, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics to characterize the host-pathogen interface. Herein, we discuss how rapid advances in molecular immunology, sophisticated tools and molecular databases are facilitating in-depth exploration of the immunome. In our opinion, an immunomics-based approach presides over traditional antigen and vaccine discovery methods that have proved ineffective for highly complex pathogens such as the causative agents of malaria, tuberculosis and schistosomiasis that have evolved genetic and immunological host-parasite adaptations over time. By using an integrative multidisciplinary approach, immunomics offers enormous potential to advance 21st century antigen discovery and rational vaccine design against complex pathogens such as the Plasmodium parasite.