Progress and application of cell membrane engineering in living cell therapy

Abstract

Cell therapy is a rapidly developing technology that has gradually made the prospect of curing various diseases become a reality. Increasing the survival rate and bioactivity of cells after transplantation is a key factor enhancing the cell therapeutic efficacy. Their targeting ability and intercellular substance communication make cells potential delivery systems. In addition, long-term and high-precision cell tracking can provide safety guarantees for cell therapy. Therefore, cell engineering has become a prominent research field to promote the application of cell therapy. The cell membrane serves as a crucial physical barrier that regulates cellular interactions with the extracellular environment, and it holds promise for contributing to the development of cell therapy. Currently, a growing number of membrane engineering techniques are being developed to customize cell surfaces and augment the therapeutic functions of cells, including direct modification, core–shell physical coating, and cellular autonomous response modification. This review comprehensively examines the latest advancements in engineering cell surfaces utilizing modification moieties to enhance the activity, targeted drug delivery capability, and labeling efficiency of transplanted cells. The distinct advantages and limitations of various membrane engineering strategies are also summarized. Here, we highlight the current challenges in this rapidly evolving field and discuss potential future opportunities.