Researchers have developed a novel engineering strategy to overcome the common tendency of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to accumulate in the liver rather than other organs. By utilizing passive targeting through abdominal injection, the study found that larger particles—roughly 300 nanometres in diameter—selectively infiltrate the pancreas due to its uniquely thin protective capsule. To ensure effective mRNA expression, scientists used smaller lipids that expand upon contact with bodily fluids to form a specific protein corona. This protein layer is enriched with lipid-binding molecules that interact with VLDL receptors, allowing for the precise delivery of therapies to mesenchymal stromal cells within the pancreas. This breakthrough moves beyond trial-and-error methods toward a knowledge-driven design capable of treating aggressive pancreatic cancers and other previously unreachable diseases. The successful application in animal models provides a blueprint for customizing nanoparticles to target specific tissues based on their unique biological and anatomical environments.

References:

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00294-5