Engineering Biomimetic Nanoplatforms for Acute Lung Injury: From Mechanistic Insights to Translational Opportunities

Yukun Liu,1,* Kang Wang,1,* Fangli Gao,2 Zhikai Xu,3– 6 Xuan Zhao,3– 6 Xiangjun Bai,3– 6 Zhanfei Li,3– 6 Guoyun Wan,7 Jian Yang,8 Yuchang Wang3– 6 1Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 4453007, People’s Republic of China; 3Division of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical Care, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China; 4Sino-German Research Institute of Disaster Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China; 6Trauma Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China; 7School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 4453007, People’s Republic of China; 8Emergency Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832008, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jian Yang, Email [email protected] Yuchang Wang, Email [email protected]: Acute lung injury (ALI) remains a critical clinical challenge characterized by uncontrolled inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation, with limited therapeutic options and high mortality. In recent years, biomimetic nanoplatforms—including those derived from cell membranes, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and hybrid biological interfaces—have emerged as transformative tools for ALI management. Unlike conventional nanocarriers, these systems reproduce natural intercellular communication and immune evasion mechanisms, thereby achieving precise lung targeting, sustained therapeutic delivery, and coordinated regulation of inflammation and tissue repair.This review provides a comprehensive and mechanistic overview of biomimetic nanoplatforms in ALI therapy, with an emphasis on membrane-derived, EV-based, and hybrid nanosystems. We further introduce less-explored biomimetic strategies, including protein-, bacterial-, and virus-inspired nanoparticles, to expand the conceptual framework of biological mimicry in pulmonary nanomedicine. Beyond summarizing progress, we critically discuss key translational barriers—immunogenicity, model fidelity, and large-scale manufacturing—and propose integrative solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, organ-on-chip technologies, and precision medicine approaches.By offering a unified perspective on the design, function, and translational roadmap of biomimetic nanotherapeutics, this review highlights how the integration of biology-inspired engineering and pulmonary pathophysiology could pave the way toward personalized and clinically viable nanomedicine for ALI.Keywords: acute lung injury, biomimetic nanoplatforms, acute respiratory distress syndrome, biomimetic membranes, EVs