A gold nanocluster/MIL-100(Fe) bimodal nanovector for the therapy of inflammatory disease through attenuation of Toll-like receptor signaling

Nanoscale. 2024 Jun 27;16(25):12037-12049. doi: 10.1039/d3nr06685a.

Abstract

A better understanding of the molecular and cellular events involved in the inflammation process has opened novel perspectives in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, particularly through the development of well-designed nanomedicines. Here we describe the design of a novel class of anti-inflammatory nanomedicine (denoted as Au@MIL) synthesized through a one-pot, cost-effective and green approach by coupling a benchmark mesoporous iron(III) carboxylate metal organic framework (MOF) (i.e. MIL-100(Fe)) and glutathionate protected gold nanoclusters (i.e. Au25SG18 NCs). This nano-carrier exhibits low toxicity and excellent colloidal stability combined with the high loading capacity of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone phosphate (DexP) whose pH-dependent delivery was observed. The drug loaded Au@MIL nanocarrier shows high anti-inflammatory activity due to its capacity to specifically hinder inflammatory cell growth, scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. In addition, this formulation has the capacity to inhibit the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling cascade namely the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) pathways. This not only provides a new avenue for the nanotherapy of inflammatory diseases but also enhances our fundamental knowledge of the role of nanoMOF based nanomedicine in the regulation of innate immune signaling.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone* / chemistry
  • Dexamethasone* / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks* / chemistry
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptors* / metabolism

Substances

  • Gold
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Dexamethasone
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Drug Carriers
  • NF-kappa B