Scientists have engineered dual-membrane nanoparticles that home in on heart tissue after a heart attack, delivering regenerative molecules while evading the body’s immune defences.
Myocardial infarction, better known as a heart attack, is a leading cause of death worldwide. After an injury like this, the heart struggles to regenerate to its previous health. Current treatments, while lifesaving, can rarely restore function or prevent harmful structural changes.
But new nanotechnology could provide an answer. By designing targeted, biomimetic drug carriers, scientists aim to overcome biological barriers, avoid rapid immune clearance, and deliver therapies directly to damaged tissue.
Building Biomimetic Nanoparticles
Published in Bioactive Materials, researchers have created stromal-platelet membrane-inspired nanoparticles (SPINs), combining a synthetic biodegradable core with natural cell membranes.
The core is made from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a widely used polymer for drug delivery, which encapsulates concentrated secretomes derived from cardiac stromal cells. To create this core-like structure, the secretome was dissolved in an aqueous phase and trapped within PLGA via a solvent evaporation process.
The resulting nanoparticles were then characterized for size, charge, and integrity using techniques such as dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy.
For optimized targeting and immune protection, the nanoparticles are coated with membranes from stromal cells and platelets. These are processed through ultrasonication and extrusion, preserving surface proteins that help the particles attach to injured tissue and avoid immune detection.
Microscopy confirmed the formation of a uniform ~200-nanometre shell, while zeta potential measurements showed a shift towards a less negative charge, indicating an improved compatibility in the bloodstream.
Designed For Stability And Sustained Release
SPINs are built to last through storage, freeze-thaw cycles, and exposure to serum. The PLGA core steadily releases growth factors over up to two weeks, ensuring prolonged regenerative signalling rather than a short burst of activity.
Surface molecules from platelet membranes guide the particles to injured heart tissue, where they accumulate with far greater precision than uncoated or single-membrane designs. The dual coating also extends circulation time, increasing the chance of the therapy reaching its target.
Results In Preclinical Models
In vivo studies of the SPINs showed their strong preferential accumulation in the infarcted myocardium, with minimal off-target organ retention and a specificity that surpassed uncoated and single-membrane nanoparticles. Imaging confirmed that the membrane coatings remained intact in the body, preserving both targeting and immune-evasive properties.
By combining injury-site adhesion with controlled release of growth factors, the nanoparticles promoted tissue healing and regeneration, presenting a new possibility for post-myocardial infarction therapy.
Next Steps
The researchers say their work represents a step forward for regenerative nanomedicine, bringing together biomimicry, controlled delivery, and immune evasion in a single platform.
The next challenge will be to refine large-scale manufacturing and ensure the technology meets regulatory and safety requirements before it is tested on human patients.
Journal Reference
He M., et al. (2025). Stromal-platelet membrane-inspired nanoparticles (SPIN) for targeted heart repair. Bioactive Materials, 53, 45-57. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.01.029, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25002919
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