Protein Fibril-Based Intracellular Sono-Piezocatalysis via Nanoparticle-Enhanced Piezoelectricity

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Protein fibrils exhibit piezoelectricity, offering potential for mechanical stress-assisted cell therapy.
• Achieving stronger piezoelectric properties typically requires micron-length fibrils, which compromise colloidal properties and cellular targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer colloidal lysozyme fibrils with enhanced piezoelectric properties for intracellular piezocatalysis.
• To improve cellular targeting and therapeutic efficacy using nanoparticle conjugation and functionalization.

Main Methods:

• Designed nanoparticle-conjugated lysozyme fibrils (300-400 nm length, 20 nm diameter).
• Functionalized fibrils with affinity molecules for selective cell targeting.
• Applied ultrasound to induce piezocatalysis and reactive oxygen species generation within cells.

Main Results:

• Achieved a moderate piezoelectric property of 29 pm/V in lysozyme fibrils.
• Enhanced piezoelectric property by 2 times and therapeutic potential by up to 10 times through nanoparticle conjugation.
• Demonstrated intracellular piezocatalysis leading to oxidative cell death and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• Colloidal lysozyme fibrils with nanoparticle conjugation show significant potential for enhanced piezoelectric-based cell therapy.
• The developed system enables targeted delivery and ultrasound-triggered intracellular piezocatalysis for cancer treatment.
• Further exploration of piezoelectric protein fibrils in therapy is warranted.