Surface-Engineered Titanium Carbide MXenzyme Boosts ROS-Scavenging and Anti-Inflammation Activities for Inflammatory...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Immunology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic intestinal inflammation linked to M1/M2 macrophage imbalance.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction exacerbate IBD severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel ROS-scavenging nanocarrier system for IBD treatment.
• To modulate macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized titanium carbide (Ti3C2) and mannose-modified trimethyl chitosan to form TTCM nanoparticles.
• Evaluated TTCM biocompatibility, stability in gastrointestinal fluids, and in vitro effects on ROS, mitochondrial potential, and inflammatory pathways.
• Assessed TTCM efficacy in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis mouse model.

Main Results:

• TTCM nanoparticles demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and stability.
• In vitro studies showed TTCM reduced ROS, restored mitochondrial function, increased SOD activity, and suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, promoting M1 to M2 macrophage repolarization.
• TTCM enhanced antioxidant efficacy and intestinal barrier function.
• In vivo experiments confirmed TTCM's anti-inflammatory and protective effects, mitigating IBD progression.

Conclusions:

• Oral delivery of ROS-scavenging TTCM nanoparticles shows significant therapeutic potential for IBD.
• This strategy effectively treats IBD by targeting oxidative stress and macrophage imbalance.