Bone-targeted nanomedicine based on red blood cell membrane-coated polymeric carriers for effective osteoporosis reversal

Recently, osteoporosis has been a significant clinical challenge for the failed bone regeneration and vascularization. In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoparticle system to stimulate bone regeneration and vascularization. Poly(D, L-lactide) (PLA)-based nanoparticles were fabricated to encapsulate icariin, which is renowned for its osteogenic potential. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were coated with red blood cell membranes to enhance biocompatibility. To further improve targeting specificity, a bone-targeted polymer-lipid consisting of alendronate-modified PEG-DSPE was synthesized and incorporated into the cell membrane coating. The delivery systems were designed to modulate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), thereby enhancing both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that the therapeutic system could enhance bone formation and vascularization in vitro , indicating its potential as an advanced treatment strategy for osteoporosis. This study provides a promising nanoplatform for the development of multifunctional nanomedicines aimed at improving bone health and vascular integration.