Multifaceted Catalytic ROS-Scavenging via Electronic Modulated Metal Oxides for Regulating Stem Cell Fate

Developing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging nanostructures to protect and regulate stem cells has emerged as an intriguing strategy for promoting tissue regeneration, especially in trauma microenvironments or refractory wounds. Here, an electronic modulated metal oxide is developed via Mn atom substitutions in Co₃ O₄ nanocrystalline (Mn-Co₃ O₄ ) for highly efficient and multifaceted catalytic ROS-scavenging to reverse the fates of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in oxidative-stress microenvironments. Benefiting from the atomic Mn-substitution and charge transfer from Mn to Co, the Co site in Mn-Co₃ O₄ displays an increased ratio of Co²⁺ /Co³⁺ and improved redox properties, thus enhancing its intrinsic and broad-spectrum catalytic ROS-scavenging activities, which surpasses most of the currently reported metal oxides. Consequently, the Mn-Co₃ O₄ can efficiently protect the MSCs from ROS attack and rescue their functions, including adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. This work not only establishes an efficient material for catalytic ROS-scavenging in stem-cell-based therapeutics but also provides a new avenue to design biocatalytic metal oxides via modulation of electronic structure.