Keratinocyte membrane-mediated nanodelivery system with dissolving microneedles for targeted therapy of skin diseases

Biomaterials. 2021 Nov:278:121142. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121142. Epub 2021 Sep 23.

Abstract

There is a lack of actively targeting drug delivery carriers for the topical treatment of epidermal diseases, which results in drug waste and an increased incidence of toxic side effects in the clinic. We recently discovered that epidermal cells (HaCaT cells) have homologous targeting functions and developed HaCaT cell membrane-coated pH-sensitive micelles for therapeutic active targeting of skin disease. We encapsulated shikonin in these biomimetic nanocarriers and found that the nanocarriers accumulated mainly in the active epidermis when delivered with karaya gum-fabricated water-soluble microneedles. The nanocarriers were internalized by the target cells, resulting in swelling of histidine fragments with protonation and subsequent triggering of drug release, which increased the therapeutic efficacy of shikonin against imiquimod-induced psoriatic epidermal hyperplasia. This emerging biomimetic delivery strategy is a new approach for improving the treatment of skin diseases and is also very promising for use in the field of cosmetics. Additionally, we found abnormally high protein expression of Na+/K+-ATPase in diseased skin; thus, this protein may be a biomarker of psoriasis.

Keywords: Active targeting; Biomimetic; Dissolvable microneedles; Nanoparticle; Psoriasis; Transdermal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod / therapeutic use
  • Keratinocytes*
  • Needles
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Skin

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Imiquimod