Figure 1.

Design, synthesis and hypothesized mechanism of macrophage-monocyte membrane-encapsulated, antimicrobial-conjugated nanoparticles (Me-ANPs) to kill intracellular bacterial pathogens, hiding inside leukocytes. a) Preparation of a hydrophobic antimicrobial (triclosan) and a more hydrophilic antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) into an amphiphilic, binary antimicrobial-conjugate that self-assembles through micelle formation in aqueous solution to form antimicrobial NPs. b) Isolation of leukocyte membranes. c) Stabilization of self-assembled, antimicrobial NPs by encapsulation in leukocyte membranes. d) Macrophage-monocytes Me-ANPs are naturally engulfed into an infected macrophage. e) Once inside an infected macrophage, intracellular release of conjugated antimicrobials from Me-ANPs kills infecting bacteria. Details not drawn to scale.