Macrophage membrane-camouflaged biomimetic nanovesicles for targeted treatment of arthritis

Arthritis has become the most common joint disease globally. Current attention has shifted towards preventing the disease and exploring pharmaceutical and surgical treatments for early-stage arthritis. M2 macrophages are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to support cartilage repair, offering relief from arthritis. Whereas, it remains a great challenge to promote the beneficial secretion of M2 macrophages to prevent the progression of arthritis. Therefore, it is warranted to investigate new strategies that could use the functions of M2 macrophages and enhance its therapeutic effects. This review aims to explore the macrophage cell membrane-coated biomimetic nanovesicles for targeted treatment of arthritis such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gouty arthritis (GA). Cell membrane-camouflaged biomimetic nanovesicle has attracted increasing attention, which successfully combine the advantages and properties of both cell membrane and delivered drug. We discuss the roles of macrophages in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targets of arthritis. Then, the common preparation strategies of macrophage membrane-coated nanovesicles are concluded. Moreover, we investigate the applications of macrophage cell membrane-camouflaged nanovesicles for arthritis, such as OA, RA, and GA. Taken together, macrophage cell membrane-camouflaged nanovesicles hold the tremendous prospect for biomedical applications in the targeted treatment of arthritis. •In this review, we made several major novel findings.•We discuss the roles of macrophages in the pathophysiology and therapeutic targets of arthritis.•The common preparation strategies of macrophage membrane-coated nanovesicles are concluded.•We investigate the applications of macrophage membrane-camouflaged nanovesicles for arthritis.•Thus, macrophage membrane-camouflaged nanovesicles hold the tremendous prospect for targeted treatment of arthritis.