Ionic Liquid-Induced Aggregation-Induced Emission of Gold Nanoclusters for Copper Detection and Amyloid-β Aggregation Modulation

The precise detection of copper ions (Cu²⁺), along with the regulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and fibril disassembly, is critical in biomedical diagnostics and neurodegenerative disease therapeutics. In this study, we present a multifunctional platform utilizing ionic liquid-induced aggregation-induced emission of gold nanoclusters (IL/AuNCs) for Cu²⁺ detection and Aβ aggregation modulation. IL/AuNCs exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu²⁺, with a detection limit of 0.079 μM. Additionally, IL/AuNCs modulated the Fenton-like activity of free Cu²⁺ and the Aβ₄₂-Cu²⁺ complex, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, IL/AuNCs also disrupted preformed Aβ aggregates into soluble species and inhibited their formation under physiological conditions, mitigating associated neurotoxicity. Cell-based experiments revealed that IL/AuNCs could reduce Aβ aggregate-induced cytotoxicity, implying their therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease. This work not only advances the development of multifunctional nanoplatforms for metal ion sensing but also provides a promising theranostic approach for addressing metal-associated amyloid pathologies.