2D-nanomaterials for AKI treatment

Engineered molybdenum disulfide nanosheets as scavengers against oxidative stress inhibit ferroptosis to alleviate acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical kidney dysfunction associated with high morbidity, elevated mortality, and poor prognosis. It results from redox imbalance caused by abnormal excess production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the renal tubules, which in turn initiates a series of pathological processes, such as cellular apoptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis, eventually leading to structural and functional impairment of the kidney. Thereinto, ferroptosis induced by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxidation is extensively involved in renal damage. Nanotechnology-mediated therapeutic strategies to scavenge excessive ROS and thereby inhibit ferroptosis represents a promising strategy for AKI management. Herein, we report two engineered ultrathin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets (NSs) modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), respectively, with excellent biocompatibility and antioxidative defense capability for AKI treatment. The engineered NSs, with a readily variable valence state of molybdenum ions, rescued cell viability by consuming various forms of cellular ROS and significantly facilitated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression to mitigate ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. In a glycerol-induced AKI mouse model, the PVP-MoS2 NSs were largely accumulated in the injured kidneys, where they provided robust antioxidative protection against ROS attack and suppressed the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory response, thereby maintaining normal kidney function. Of the two engineered NSs, PVP-MoS2 displayed superior biological stability and therapeutic effects and could thus serve as a powerful antioxidant platform for use in the treatment of AKI and other ROS-associated diseases. This study underscores the potential of two-dimensional nanomaterials in precisely treating AKI and other ferroptosis-related diseases.

Revitalizing Ancient Mitochondria with Nano-Strategies: Mitochondria-Remedying Nanodrugs Concentrate on Disease Control

Mitochondria, widely known as the energy factories of eukaryotic cells, have a myriad of vital functions across diverse cellular processes. Dysfunctions within mitochondria serve as catalysts for various diseases, prompting widespread cellular demise. Mounting research on remedying damaged mitochondria indicates that mitochondria constitute a valuable target for therapeutic intervention against diseases. But the less clinical practice and lower recovery rate imply the limitation of traditional drugs, which need a further breakthrough. Nanotechnology has approached favorable regiospecific biodistribution and high efficacy by capitalizing on excellent nanomaterials and targeting drug delivery. Mitochondria-remedying nanodrugs have achieved ideal therapeutic effects. This review elucidates the significance of mitochondria in various cells and organs, while also compiling mortality data for related diseases. Correspondingly, nanodrug-mediate therapeutic strategies and applicable mitochondria-remedying nanodrugs in disease are detailed, with a full understanding of the roles of mitochondria dysfunction and the advantages of nanodrugs. In addition, the future challenges and directions are widely discussed. In conclusion, this review provides comprehensive insights into the design and development of mitochondria-remedying nanodrugs, aiming to help scientists who desire to extend their research fields and engage in this interdisciplinary subject.

Antioxidative 0-dimensional nanodrugs overcome obstacles in AKI antioxidant therapy

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a commonly encountered syndrome associated with various aetiologies and pathophysiological processes leading to enormous health risks and economic losses. In the absence of specific drugs to treat AKI, hemodialysis remains the primary clinical treatment for AKI patients. The revelation of the pathology opens new horizons for antioxidant therapy in the treatment of AKI. However, small molecule antioxidant drugs and common nanozymes have failed to challenge AKI due to their unsatisfactory drug properties and renal physiological barriers. 0-Dimensional (0D) antioxidant nanodrugs stand out at this time thanks to their small size and high performance. Recently, a number of research studies have been carried out around 0D nanodrugs for alleviating AKI, and their multi-antioxidant enzyme mimetic activities, smooth glomerular filtration barrier permeability and excellent biocompatibility have been investigated. Here, we comprehensively summarize recent advances in 0D nanodrugs for AKI antioxidant therapy. We classify these representative studies into three categories according to the characteristics of 0D nanomaterials, namely ultra-small metal nanodots, inorganic non-metallic quantum dots and polymer nanodots. We focus on the antioxidant mechanisms and their distribution in vivo in each inspiring work, and the purpose and ingenuity of each design are rigorously captured and described. Finally, we provide our reflections and prospects for 0D antioxidant nanodrugs in AKI treatment. This mini review provides unique insights and valuable clues in the design of 0D nanodrugs and other kidney absorbable drugs.