MedCommMay 13, 2026

Using mRNA lipid particles to modify cells inside the body and in the lab: Current uses and future possibilities

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated May 14, 2026

Abstract

Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) enable precise and transient protein expression for cell engineering.

Recent advances in mRNA design and lipid formulation have expanded mRNA-LNP applications in immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and genome editing.
Challenges such as off-target delivery and immunogenicity may limit the broader therapeutic use of mRNA-LNPs.
Key design principles include mRNA structural elements and functional lipid components that help facilitate endosomal escape.
Strategies to enhance delivery precision include modifications to administration routes and surface characteristics.

Simplified

Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) serve as a revolutionary platform, enabling precise and transient protein expression for both in vivo and in vitro cell engineering without genomic integration. Recent breakthroughs in mRNA design and LNP formulation have expanded their applications across immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and genome editing. However, challenges such as off-target delivery, immunogenicity, and inadequate organ-specific targeting limit their broader therapeutic utility. This review systematically elaborates the design principles of mRNA-LNPs, including mRNA structural elements and functional lipid components that facilitate endosomal escape. It summarizes recent advances in their applications for cell engineering, both ex vivo and in vivo. Key challenges related to delivery precision and immunogenicity are thoroughly analyzed, alongside strategies to improve targeting through administration routes, surface modifications, and endogenous targeting mechanisms. The article also outlines main directions for developing next-generation mRNA-LNPs. Overall, this review will support further research on mRNA-LNPs and promote their clinical translation in the field of cell engineering.

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Competing interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

PubMed

Using mRNA lipid particles to modify cells inside the body and in the lab: Current uses and future possibilities

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

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Abstract

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Funding

Competing interests

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

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