Binding to Amyloid-beta Protein by Photothermal Blood-Brain Barrier-Penetrating Nanoparticles for Inhibition and Disaggregation of Fibrillation

Geng, H (Geng, Hao) 1Pan, YC (Pan, Yu-chen) 2Zhang, R (Zhang, Ran) 3Gao, D (Gao, Dong) 3Wang, ZJ (Wang, Zijuan) 1Li, BY (Li, Boying) 1Li, N (Li, Ning) 1Guo, DS (Guo, Dong-sheng) 2Xing, CF (Xing, Chengfen) 1, 3

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 2021, Article Number 2102953

DOI 10.1002/adfm.202102953

Abstract

Excess accumulation of amyloid-beta (A beta) protein in the brain is the primary pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inhibition of A beta fibrillation and disaggregation of A beta fibrils is an attractive therapeutic and preventive strategy for A beta-induced AD. Here, near infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) composed of amphiphilic guanidinocalix[5]arene (GC5A), 4-(dodecyloxy)benzamido-terminated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), and photothermal conjugated polymer PDPP are fabricated. The NIR light-responsive NPs can efficiently penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), inhibit amyloid-beta 42 (A beta 42) fibrillation, and disaggregate fibrils after NIR light irradiation. Through the advantage of containing GC5A, the NPs exhibit extremely strong binding affinity for the A beta 42 protein. Interestingly, upon NIR light irradiation, benefiting from the high photothermal conversion efficiency of PDPP, NPs generate local heat and effectively promote the BBB permeability. Moreover, NPs are multifunctional platforms for the inhibition of A beta 42 fibrillation and disaggregation of fibrils after irradiation with NIR light, distinctly reducing cytotoxicity and eliminating A beta 42 plaques in the hippocampus of AD mice. Hence, NPs provide an interesting strategy for the inhibition and disaggregation of A beta 42 fibrillation and present an excellent therapeutic strategy for amyloidosis.