Targeted Scavenging of Reactive Oxygen Species and Alleviating Encephalitis Using Nanozyme-Based Antioxidant Platform

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• LPS-induced encephalitis causes neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Effective treatment requires strategies that penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), scavenge free radicals, and regulate the immune microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional nanoplatform for treating encephalitis.
• To leverage cerium-doped carbon quantum dots (Ce-CQDs) with a targeting peptide (S2P) for enhanced therapeutic delivery and efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of S2P@Ce-CQDs nanoplatform with ultrasmall size for BBB penetration and fluorescence for tracking.
• Utilizing Ce-doping for dual enzyme-mimicking activity (superoxide dismutase and catalase) to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Employing S2P peptide for targeted accumulation at encephalitis lesions by recognizing M1 macrophages.

Main Results:

• S2P@Ce-CQDs demonstrated excellent BBB penetration and facilitated treatment tracking via fluorescence.
• The nanoplatform effectively scavenged excess ROS, reducing oxidative stress damage.
• Targeted delivery modulated macrophage polarization and reshaped the neuroinflammatory microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• The S2P@Ce-CQDs nanoplatform offers a synergistic approach to encephalitis treatment by integrating targeted delivery, imaging, antioxidant, and immune regulation.
• This strategy addresses the challenge of drug delivery across the BBB in encephalitis therapy.