Cellular Backpacks Ferry Drugs to Inflammation

Jan-13-15 By placing "cellular backpacks" on white blood cells, researchers have developed a way to use the body's own immune system to ferry drugs to inflamed tissue.

The technology takes advantage of the behavior of monocytes—white blood cells able to penetrate deep into tissue. The team attached tiny particles, called "cellular backpacks" to the monocytes using a binding antibody. As the monocytes carry out their normal functions—one of which is seeking out inflamed tissue—they carry the payload of medication with them into the tissue. To keep the monocytes from simply swallowing their backpacks of medication, the team designed a flexible, non-spherical particle that is more difficult to absorb.

According to the developers, the cellular backpacks could have a wide range of applications by allowing the drugs to be delivered in a more effective dose.

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[MEDGADGET.COM]
[NEWS.UCSB.EDU]

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