Engineering liposomes with cell membrane proteins to disrupt melanosome transfer

Abstract

Cells communicate by transporting vesicles and organelles, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, excessive vesicle transfer can cause several diseases and medical conditions like hyperpigmentation due to an unregulated intercellular transfer of melanosomes. Current treatments often focus on eliminating the compartment contents with drugs but can cause significant side effects. Here, we engineer liposomes with cell membrane proteins to directly disrupt intercellular transport without specialized therapeutics. We demonstrate this approach by reducing melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. To achieve this, we incorporate keratinocyte cell membrane proteins into liposomes using microfluidics, which can enhance uptake by melanocytes while reducing uptake by keratinocytes. We also show that these engineered liposomes reduce melanosome transfer because they attach to the surface of pigment globules, impeding pigment globule uptake by keratinocytes. Our findings provide an effective strategy for reducing melanosome transfer to treat hyperpigmentation and introduce a drug-free approach for regulating cellular communication via extracellular vesicles and organelles.