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Published on: September 20, 2018
The rise of cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials for inflammatory disease therapy
Hassan Shah1, Zhengkun Liu1, Nasrullah Jan2
1Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Biomedical Engineering & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA), released from damaged cells, acts as a critical danger-associated molecular pattern and plays a key role as a molecular trigger in various inflammatory diseases. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies target downstream effectors, often causing systemic immunosuppression and facing long-term efficacy and safety limits. Recent advances in cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials offer a novel therapeutic strategy of efficiently scavenging cfDNA released from various sources that contribute to inflammation. We systematically review the burgeoning advances in cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials, which represent a novel platform for modulating inflammation, and elucidate the mechanisms of these engineered cfDNA nanoscavengers to restore immune homeostasis, including competitive binding, electrostatic adsorption and enzymatic degradation. Crucially, we discuss solutions to the challenges impeding their clinical translation, such as mitigating material toxicity, preventing binding saturation and cfDNA re-release, and enhancing in vivo targeting specificity. Finally, we outline future perspectives for developing intelligent, multifunctional, and biocompatible nanomaterial platforms, emphasizing their potential for integration into precision immunotherapy against inflammatory diseases.
Insights
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) triggers inflammation. New cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials offer a promising therapeutic strategy to remove cfDNA, reduce inflammation, and restore immune balance, overcoming limitations of current treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) acts as a danger signal, initiating inflammatory responses.
- Conventional anti-inflammatory drugs have limitations, including systemic immunosuppression and safety concerns.
- cfDNA is implicated as a key molecular trigger in diverse inflammatory diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review advances in cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials for treating inflammatory diseases.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which these nanoscavengers modulate inflammation.
- To discuss challenges and future perspectives for clinical translation of cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials.
- Elucidation of nanoscavenger mechanisms: competitive binding, electrostatic adsorption, enzymatic degradation.
- Analysis of challenges including toxicity, binding saturation, cfDNA re-release, and targeting specificity.
Main Results:
- cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials represent a novel therapeutic platform for inflammation.
- Engineered nanoscavengers can restore immune homeostasis by removing inflammatory cfDNA.
- Various mechanisms are employed by nanoscavengers to interact with and clear cfDNA.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA-scavenging nanomaterials offer a promising strategy to combat inflammatory diseases.
- Addressing challenges in material toxicity, efficacy, and targeting is crucial for clinical translation.
- Future development should focus on intelligent, multifunctional, and biocompatible nanomaterials for precision immunotherapy.
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