Immune cell-based microrobots for remote magnetic actuation, antitumor activity, and medical imaging

Abstract

Translating medical microrobots into clinics requires tracking, localization, and performing assigned medical tasks at target locations, which can only happen when appropriate design, actuation mechanisms, and medical imaging systems are integrated into a single microrobot. Despite this, these parameters are not fully considered when designing macrophage-based microrobots. This study presents living macrophage-based microrobots that combine macrophages with magnetic Janus particles coated with FePt nanofilm for magnetic steering and medical imaging and bacterial lipopolysaccharides for stimulating macrophages in a tumor-killing state. The macrophage-based microrobots combine wireless magnetic actuation, tracking with medical imaging techniques, and antitumor abilities. These microrobots are imaged under magnetic resonance imaging and optoacoustic imaging in soft-tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex vivo conditions. Magnetic actuation and real-time imaging of microrobots are demonstrated under static and physiologically relevant flow conditions using optoacoustic imaging. Further, macrophage-based microrobots are magnetically steered toward urinary bladder tumor spheroids and imaged with a handheld optoacoustic device, where the microrobots significantly reduce the viability of tumor spheroids. The proposed approach demonstrates the proof-of-concept feasibility of integrating macrophage-based microrobots into clinic imaging modalities for cancer targeting and intervention, and can also be implemented for various other medical applications. Live macrophage-based microrobots integrate magnetic actuation, tracking, and targeted cancer treatment within a single microrobot system. Magnetic resonance and optoacoustic medical imaging of such microrobot swarms are demonstrated. Optoacoustic imaging-guided real-time magnetic actuation of macrophage-based microrobots is performed ex vivo and in vitro. Developing immune cell-based therapies based on this biohybrid design may pave the way for future medical applications.