A biomimetic upconversion nanoreactors for near-infrared driven H2 release to inhibit tauopathy in Alzheimer's disease therapy

Qin Zhang; Chuanqi Li; Bohan Yin; Jiaxiang Yan; Yutian Gu; Yingying Huang; Jiareng Chen; Xinyue Lao; Jianhua Hao; Changqing Yi; Yi Zhou; James Chung Wai Cheung; Siu Hong Dexter Wong; Mo Yang

Bioactive Materials (Dec 2024)

A biomimetic upconversion nanoreactors for near-infrared driven H2 release to inhibit tauopathy in Alzheimer's disease therapy

Qin Zhang,
Chuanqi Li,
Bohan Yin,
Jiaxiang Yan,
Yutian Gu,
Yingying Huang,
Jiareng Chen,
Xinyue Lao,
Jianhua Hao,
Changqing Yi,
Yi Zhou,
James Chung Wai Cheung,
Siu Hong Dexter Wong,
Mo Yang

Affiliations

Qin Zhang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
Chuanqi Li: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
Bohan Yin: School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266237, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Jiaxiang Yan: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Yutian Gu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Yingying Huang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Jiareng Chen: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Xinyue Lao: Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Jianhua Hao: Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Changqing Yi: Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instruments (Guangdong Province), School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
Yi Zhou: Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
James Chung Wai Cheung: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China
Siu Hong Dexter Wong: School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266237, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China; Corresponding author. School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
Mo Yang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China; Joint Research Center of Biosensing and Precision Theranostics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China; Corresponding author. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 999077, Hong Kong, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 42
pp. 165 – 177

Abstract

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Abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau protein is a principal pathological hallmark in the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), which can be induced by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS). As an antioxidant, hydrogen gas (H2) has the potential to mitigate AD by scavenging highly harmful ROS such as •OH. However, conventional administration methods of H2 face significant challenges in controlling H2 release on demand and fail to achieve effective accumulation at lesion sites. Herein, we report artificial nanoreactors that mimic natural photosynthesis to realize near-infrared (NIR) light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution in situ. The nanoreactors are constructed by biocompatible crosslinked vesicles (CVs) encapsulating ascorbic acid and two photosensitizers, chlorophyll a (Chla) and indoline dye (Ind). In addition, platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) serve as photocatalysts and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) act as light-harvesting antennas in the nanoreacting system, and both attach to the surface of CVs. Under NIR irradiation, the nanoreactors release H2 in situ to scavenge local excess ROS and attenuate tau hyperphosphorylation in the AD mice model. Such NIR-triggered nanoreactors provide a proof-of-concept design for the great potential of hydrogen therapy against AD.

Published in Bioactive Materials

ISSN: 2452-199X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/bioactive-materials/

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