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Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Ameliorating Osteoarthritis in Mice Using Silver Nanoparticles
Published on: June 2, 2023
Prussian blue nanozymes coated with Pluronic attenuate inflammatory osteoarthritis by blocking c-Jun N-terminal
Chanmi Cho1, Hyeryeon Oh2, Jin Sil Lee2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder associated with inflammation, functional disability, and high socioeconomic costs. The development of effective therapies against inflammatory OA has been limited owing to its complex and multifactorial nature. The efficacy of Prussian blue nanozymes coated with Pluronic (PPBzymes), US Food and Drug Administration-approved components, and their mechanisms of action have been described in this study, and PPBzymes have been characterized as a new OA therapeutic. Spherical PPBzymes were developed via nucleation and stabilization of Prussian blue inside Pluronic micelles. A uniformly distributed diameter of approximately 204 nm was obtained, which was maintained after storage in an aqueous solution and biological buffer. This indicates that PPBzymes are stable and could have biomedical applications. In vitro data revealed that PPBzymes promote cartilage generation and reduce cartilage degradation. Moreover, intra-articular injections with PPBzymes into mouse joints revealed their long-term stability and effective uptake into the cartilage matrix. Furthermore, intra-articular PPBzymes injections attenuated cartilage degradation without exhibiting cytotoxicity toward the synovial membrane, lungs, and liver. Notably, based on proteome microarray data, PPBzymes specifically block the JNK phosphorylation, which modulates inflammatory OA pathogenesis. These findings indicate that PPBzymes might represent a biocompatible and effective nanotherapeutic for obstructing JNK phosphorylation.
Insights
Prussian blue nanozymes (PPBzymes) show promise as a novel osteoarthritis therapeutic. These stable nanoparticles promote cartilage regeneration and reduce degradation by blocking JNK phosphorylation, offering a potential new treatment for inflammatory joint disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex degenerative joint disease with limited effective therapies.
- Inflammation and cartilage degradation are key pathological features of OA.
- Developing safe and effective nanotherapeutics for OA remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Prussian blue nanozymes coated with Pluronic (PPBzymes) as a potential nanotherapeutic for osteoarthritis.
- To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of action of PPBzymes in vitro and in vivo.
- To assess the biocompatibility and stability of PPBzymes for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of spherical PPBzymes (approx. 204 nm diameter).
- In vitro assessment of cartilage generation and degradation.
- Intra-articular injection of PPBzymes in mouse models of OA.
- Proteome microarray analysis to identify molecular targets.
Main Results:
- PPBzymes demonstrated good stability in aqueous solutions and biological buffers.
- In vitro studies showed PPBzymes promote cartilage generation and inhibit degradation.
- In vivo studies confirmed PPBzymes' long-term stability, cartilage uptake, and attenuation of cartilage degradation without cytotoxicity.
- PPBzymes were found to specifically block JNK phosphorylation.
Conclusions:
- PPBzymes are stable, biocompatible nanoparticles with therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis.
- PPBzymes effectively reduce cartilage degradation in OA by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation.
- PPBzymes represent a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for managing inflammatory osteoarthritis.
