Enzymatic cellular nanoparticles deliver payloads across mucosal barriers

Summary

Mucus limits the effectiveness of oral and inhaled medicines. Inspired by influenza A virus, researchers engineered mammalian cells to display neuraminidase on their surface, then coated lipid nanoparticles with that membrane. The resulting nanoparticles cleaved sialic acids in mucus, improving penetration through artificial mucus and increasing mRNA delivery to underlying cells in vitro. In mice, intratracheal administration improved lung expression of the mRNA payload. This virus-mimicking strategy offers a modular platform to enhance mucosal drug delivery.