MXene quantum dots for immunomodulation: redox activity and nano-strategies in inflammatory control and regenerative...

MXene quantum dots (MQDs) have recently emerged as a distinct zero-dimensional derivative of MXenes, exhibiting unique physicochemical and electronic properties that extend their relevance beyond conventional nanomaterial applications. Owing to their ultrasmall size, rich surface termination chemistry, and transition metal-centered electronic structure, MQDs interact dynamically with biological systems and influence immune behavior in a context-dependent manner. This review provides the first comprehensive and focused overview of MQDs as immunomodulatory nanoplatforms for inflammatory control and regenerative medicine. We systematically analyze the structural evolution of MQDs from two-dimensional MXenes, highlighting how quantum confinement, surface chemistry, and redox-active electronic states define their nano-bio interface. Mechanistic insights into immune regulation are discussed through redox-sensitive signaling pathways, inflammasome dynamics, and immune cell reprogramming. Furthermore, experimental evidence demonstrating MQD-mediated modulation of T-cell activity, endothelial immunogenicity, and spatial immune organization in inflammatory, oncologic, and regenerative models is critically evaluated. By integrating materials chemistry, immunological mechanisms, and translational studies, this review outlines emerging nano-strategies for precision immune regulation. Finally, key challenges related to immunosafety, compositional engineering, and clinical translation are addressed, positioning MQDs as a promising and programmable class of immunoactive nanomaterials for future biomedical applications.