Title : Catalytic nanozymes: Transformative tools for biomedical applications, therapeutics and advanced microscopy
Abstract:
Nanomaterials endowed with nanozyme (enzyme-mimetic) activity have elicited huge interest in several fields of nanotechnology. Among the first to pioneer this field, we have explored the transformative potential of catalytic nanoparticles, utilizing them as cutting-edge tools for biomedical applications and as sophisticated probes for high-resolution imaging in transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Using an experimental cellular model of a major cerebrovascular disorder of genetic origin, Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM), characterized by elevate cellular oxidative stress, we exploited the use of citrate capped platinum and palladium nanoparticles (Pt NPs) as antioxidant nanozymes. We demonstrated that Pt and Pd NPs are endowed with strong catalase-, peroxidase-, and superoxide dismutase-like activities, with superior performance than natural enzymes. Then, we demonstrated that these nanozymes are able to restore reactive oxygen homeostasis in diseased cells and can also serve as multifunctional nanocarriers in antioxidant-related diseases, suggesting promising therapeutic applications. Expanding on our advancements, we delved into the design of Pt NPs as multifunctional nanocarriers combining the intrinsic radical scavenging activity of Pt NPs with the autophagy-stimulating activity of one of the most powerful pro-autophagy agents, rapamycin. We demonstrated that the synergistic antioxidant and pro-autophagic activities of the multifunctional nanocarrier were highly effective in rescuing major molecular and cellular phenotypes of diseased cells, including defective autophagy and altered ROS homeostasis suggesting promising therapeutic applications.
Taking an innovative direction, we have harnessed Pt nanozymes as sophisticated tools for advanced microscopy applications. We exploited the highly efficient peroxidase-like activity of Pt nanozymes (3–20 nm size) to develop a procedure ideally suited to overcome standard amplification strategies currently used in TEM analysis within the cellular environment, such as gold or silver enhancements, offering enhanced imaging capabilities.
