Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) are widely utilized as natural drug delivery systems due to their unique mechanical properties, which enable prolonged circulation and physiological function. This study examines a biophysical strategy that employs shear-responsive RBC (sr-RBC) carriers to mechanically release drugs at stenotic arteries. Intracellularly loaded sr-RBCs exhibited shear-dependent cargo release when perfused through stenotic arterial models, while no release was observed in unconstricted vessels. Notably, the sheared sr-RBCs retained their membrane integrity and CD47 expression while maintaining their ability to traverse microvascular networks without release when perfused through a microfluidic model simulating pulmonary capillaries. Multiscale modelling of RBC suspension fluid dynamics demonstrates a strong positive correlation between the sr-RBC drug release and the overall RBC membrane stretching induced by the high shear rates at various stenotic percentages. Sr-RBCs and mechanosensitive cell carriers may enable new avenues for treating life-threatening arterial constrictions and other vascular diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e74818 |
| Journal | Small |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 52 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 16 Sep 2026 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- cardiovascular disease
- cell mechanics
- drug delivery
- hemodynamics
- mechano-therapeutics
- red blood cells
- stenosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- General Chemistry
- Biomaterials
- General Materials Science
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