Platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles: Bioengineering principles, quality control, and translational opportunities
4 affiliations
- 1International Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University 1 , Taipei,
- 2Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University 2 , Taipei,
- 3Graduate Institute of Nanomedicine and Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University 3 , Taipei,
- 4International PhD Program in Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University 4 , Taipei,
Abstract
Platelet membranes (PMs) are increasingly explored as bioinspired coatings for nanoparticles (NPs), providing improved immune evasion, prolonged circulation, and disease-homing properties that enhance targeted drug delivery. Unlike conventional NPs that rely mainly on passive targeting, PM-coated systems expose platelet surface markers such as CD47, GPIb, and P-selectin, enabling vascular adhesion and selective localization to tumors or thrombi. PM-NPs are thus increasingly regarded as promising carriers for oncology, cardiovascular, and infectious disease therapies. This review introduces the various bioengineering principles underlying PM-NP fabrication, including points to consider for platelet sourcing, membrane isolation, and coating strategies. Achieving reliable quality control (QC) and reproducibility depends on rigorous assessment of critical formulation variables, including nanoparticle size, surface charge, and the preservation of functional membrane proteins. The implementation of scientific approaches and regulatory standardization frameworks, such as the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles guidelines, and Food and Drug Administration/European Medicines Agency (FDA/EMA) regulatory expectations, is critical to establish reproducibility and facilitate regulatory acceptance of PM-NP technologies, guiding their advancement toward clinical-grade production. Furthermore, we highlight translational opportunities and the complementary potential of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, which share similar surface markers, yet offer intrinsic nanoscale size, endogenous bioactivity, and improved stability. By integrating robust engineering design with standardized QC practices, PM-NPs can progress from laboratory research to clinically viable therapeutics, establishing a relevant benchmark for future cell membrane-based nanomedicines.
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BibTeX
@article{mdlovu2026platelet,
title = {{Platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles: Bioengineering principles, quality control, and translational opportunities}},
author = {Ncobile Bagezile Mdlovu and Liling Delila and Si‐Han Wu and Thierry Pierre Robert Burnouf},
journal = {APL Bioengineering},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1063/5.0315665},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0315665},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles: Bioengineering principles, quality control, and translational opportunities
AU - Ncobile Bagezile Mdlovu
AU - Liling Delila
AU - Si‐Han Wu
AU - Thierry Pierre Robert Burnouf
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/22
JO - APL Bioengineering
DO - 10.1063/5.0315665
UR - https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0315665
AB - Platelet membranes (PMs) are increasingly explored as bioinspired coatings for nanoparticles (NPs), providing improved immune evasion, prolonged circulation, and disease-homing properties that enhance targeted drug delivery. Unlike conventional NPs that rely mainly on passive targeting, PM-coated systems expose platelet surface markers such as CD47, GPIb, and P-selectin, enabling vascular adhesion and selective localization to tumors or thrombi. PM-NPs are thus increasingly regarded as promising carriers for oncology, cardiovascular, and infectious disease therapies. This review introduces the various bioengineering principles underlying PM-NP fabrication, including points to consider for platelet sourcing, membrane isolation, and coating strategies. Achieving reliable quality control (QC) and reproducibility depends on rigorous assessment of critical formulation variables, including nanoparticle size, surface charge, and the preservation of functional membrane proteins. The implementation of scientific approaches and regulatory standardization frameworks, such as the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles guidelines, and Food and Drug Administration/European Medicines Agency (FDA/EMA) regulatory expectations, is critical to establish reproducibility and facilitate regulatory acceptance of PM-NP technologies, guiding their advancement toward clinical-grade production. Furthermore, we highlight translational opportunities and the complementary potential of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, which share similar surface markers, yet offer intrinsic nanoscale size, endogenous bioactivity, and improved stability. By integrating robust engineering design with standardized QC practices, PM-NPs can progress from laboratory research to clinically viable therapeutics, establishing a relevant benchmark for future cell membrane-based nanomedicines.
SN - 2473-2877
ER -