Nanoparticles with protein 'passports' evade immune system, deliver more medication to tumors
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 - 11:30
in Biology & Nature
Scientists have found a way to sneak nanoparticles carrying tumor-fighting drugs past cells of the immune system, which would normally engulf the particles, preventing them from reaching their target. The technique takes advantage of the fact that all cells in the human body display a protein on their membranes that functions as a specific 'passport' in instructing immune cells not to attack them. By attaching a small piece of this protein to nanoparticles, scientists were able to fool immune cells in mice into recognizing the particles as 'self' rather than foreign, thereby increasing the amount of medication delivered to tumors.