Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Selenium Nanosheets in Ulcerative Colitis: Protein Corona, GP130 Interaction, and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanomedicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with limited treatment options.
• Current anti-inflammatory therapies for UC have suboptimal efficacy and adverse effects.
• There is a critical need for safer and more effective therapeutic agents for UC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of selenium nanosheets (SeNSs) as a novel therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SeNSs' anti-inflammatory effects in UC.

Main Methods:

• Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to understand SeNS-macrophage interactions and signaling pathway modulation.
• A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of UC was used to evaluate SeNS efficacy in vivo.
• Key inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and disease activity were assessed.

Main Results:

• SeNSs were internalized by macrophages, modulating proteins in the AKT/PI3K and NF-κB signaling pathways.
• SeNSs inhibited GP130 expression, downregulating key inflammatory signaling cascades.
• In vivo studies demonstrated that SeNSs reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, alleviated colon tissue damage, and lowered the disease activity index in DSS-induced UC mice.

Conclusions:

• Selenium nanosheets (SeNSs) exhibit significant anti-inflammatory properties and therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis.
• SeNSs modulate macrophage behavior and key inflammatory pathways, offering a promising new strategy for managing inflammatory diseases.
• The biocompatibility and low toxicity of SeNSs position them as a safe and effective alternative for UC treatment.