Programming megakaryocytes to produce engineered platelets for delivering non-native proteins

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Platelets are anucleate cells naturally filled with secretory granules that store large amounts of protein to be released in response to certain physiological conditions. Cell engineering can endow platelets with the ability to deliver non-native proteins by modifying them as they develop during the cell fate process. This study presents a strategy to efficiently generate mouse platelets from pluripotent stem cells and demonstrates their potential as bioengineered protein delivery platforms. By modifying megakaryocytes, the progenitor cells of platelets, we successfully engineered platelets capable of packaging and delivering non-native proteins. These engineered platelets can offer flexible delivery platforms to release non-native proteins in a controlled manner upon activation when packaged into α-granules or deliver active enzymes to genetically alter recipient cells. Our findings highlight platelets as a promising tool for protein delivery in cell therapy applications. Engineered platelets are shown to be promising delivery vehicles for therapeutic proteins due to their ability to circulate in the bloodstream, target specific sites, and release proteins on demand.

Source: Communications Biology

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-08017-8

Authors: Farhana Islam, Shwan B. Javdan, Mitchell R. Lewis, James D. Craig, Han Wu, Tara L. Deans

Institutions: University of Utah, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering

Language: English

Topic: Platelet Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, University of Utah, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

OpenAlex ID: W4409598199