Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species - "Nanosweeper" for Rheumatoid Arthritis Theranostics by Macrophage...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in joints is a key factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression.
• Remodeling macrophage homeostasis by scavenging RONS presents a potential therapeutic strategy for RA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a visualized "nanosweeper" (GIA NPs) for simultaneous scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RA.
• To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of GIA NPs using enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of ultrasmall Gd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles with thiol-polyethylene glycol-phosphoric acid and APUEMA to create GIA NPs.
• Investigating the NO scavenging mechanism via o-phenylenediamine moieties and ROS scavenging via Fe3O4 nanoparticles and thiol.
• In vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the impact on macrophage polarization and RA alleviation.

Main Results:

• GIA NPs effectively scavenged both NO and ROS, inhibiting the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.
• Macrophage polarization was reprogrammed, and metabolism was interfered with, leading to RA alleviation.
• GIA NPs demonstrated dual-modal MRI capabilities for early RA diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Conclusions:

• The simultaneous NO and ROS scavenging strategy using GIA NPs offers a promising approach to treat RA.
• GIA NPs serve as effective dual-modal nanoprobes for integrated RA diagnosis and therapy.
• This visualized "nanosweeper" strategy presents a novel platform for managing rheumatoid arthritis.