Monocyte-derived multipotent cell delivered programmed therapeutics to reverse idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a highly heterogeneous and fatal disease. However, IPF treatment has been limited by the low drug delivery efficiency to lungs and dysfunctional “injured” type II alveolar epithelial cell (AEC II). Here, we present surface-engineered nanoparticles (PER NPs) loading astaxanthin (AST) and trametinib (TRA) adhered to monocyte-derived multipotent cell (MOMC) forming programmed therapeutics (MOMC/PER). Specifically, the cell surface is designed to backpack plenty of PER NPs that reach directly to the lungs due to the homing characteristic of the MOMC and released PER NPs retarget injured AEC II after responding to the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in IPF tissues. Then, released AST can enhance synergetic effect of TRA for inhibiting myofibroblast activation, and MOMC can also repair injured AEC II to promote damaged lung regeneration. Our findings provide proof of concept for developing a strategy for cell-mediated lung-targeted delivery platform carrying dual combined therapies to reverse IPF.