Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from bacterial or fungal infections. Common treatments for sepsis, such as antibiotic therapy, are far from satisfactory. Because endotoxin (LPS) is a major pathogenic factor in sepsis caused by gram-negative bacterial infections, neutralization of LPS is a promising therapeutic target. To effectively eliminate LPS, in a recent study published in  Chemical Engineering Journal, a macrophage-mimetic hybrid liposome (M-Lipo) was developed by fusing a macrophage membrane (M-membrane) with artificial lipids (Nanosoft Polymers). The M-membrane could provide an intrinsic binding site for LPS. The artificial PEGylated lipid could stabilize the natural membrane and prolong the circulation of M-Lipo in the bloodstream. These two membranes could complement one another and extend their biofunction as they were integrated. The results showed that M-Lipo had surface proteins similar to those of macrophages and could substantially adsorb LPS. With the help of the PEGylated lipids (Nanosoft Polymers), M-Lipo presented much better stability than the bare M-membrane vesicle. In addition, the pharmacokinetic results revealed that M-Lipo clearly had longer retention (∼16%) in blood (at 12 h) than the natural M-membrane (∼3.3%). By combining these properties, the hybrid M-Lipo not only reduced the toxicity of LPS in vitro but also protected the mouse against endotoxic shock in vivo. In conclusion, the hybrid liposome M-Lipo has the advantages of both natural membranes and artificial materials, eventually leading to the successful treatment of sepsis. Chemical Engineering Journal (31), 15-25, 2019.

Skin is considered as the ideal site for non-invasive skin therapeutic platforms. In a recent study published in Scientific Reports,  a library of gold nanorods (GNR) decorated with polyethylene glycol-thiol (PEG-SH) containing different functionalities were synthesized and characterized. The results demonstrated that cholesterol-PEG coated GNR were preferentially loaded up in the upper layers of skin (stratum corneum), while phospholipid-PEG coated counterparts were drastically deposited in skin dermis. Neutral methoxy-PEG-coated GNR were distributed in both SC and dermis skin layers, while charged GNR (anionic-carboxylic acid-PEG-GNR and cationic-amine-PEG-GNR) revealed a minimal accumulation into skin. DSPE-PEG-GNR and Chol-PEG-GNR demonstrated antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) at MIC values of 0.011 nM and 0.75 nM, respectively. Photothermal treatment for S. aureus at sub-MIC concentrations resulted in a significant bactericidal effect when using Chol-PEG-GNR but not DSPE-PEG-GNR. Gold-based nanoscale systems have great value as a promising platform for skin diseases therapy. Scientific Reportsvolume 9, Article number: 5796 (2019).