Volume 137, Issue 8 e202420547
Forschungsartikel

A Self-Reinforced “Microglia Energy Modulator” for Synergistic Amyloid-β Clearance in Alzheimer's Disease Model

Mengmeng Ma

Mengmeng Ma

School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang, Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore, 637371 Singapore

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Jing Wang

Jing Wang

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China

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Kaiming Guo

Kaiming Guo

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China

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Wenbin Zhong

Wenbin Zhong

School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang, Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore, 637371 Singapore

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Yu Cheng

Yu Cheng

School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang, Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore, 637371 Singapore

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Prof. Li Lin

Corresponding Author

Prof. Li Lin

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China

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Prof. Yanli Zhao

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yanli Zhao

School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang, Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore, 637371 Singapore

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In memory of Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart
First published: 23 December 2024

Abstract

Microglial phagocytosis is a highly energy-consuming process that plays critical roles in clearing neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, microglial metabolism is defective overall in AD, thereby undermining microglial phagocytic functions. Herein, we repurpose the existing antineoplastic drug lonidamine (LND) conjugated with hollow mesoporous Prussian blue (HMPB) as a “microglial energy modulator” (termed LND@HMPB-T7) for safe and synergistic Aβ clearance. The modified blood–brain barrier penetrating heptapeptide (T7) enables efficient transport of LND@HMPB-T7 to the AD brain. LND in LND@HMPB-T7 could fuel Aβ phagocytosis by stimulating microglial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, whereas HMPB with catalase and superoxide dismutase-mimicking activities substantially alleviates the mitochondrial side effects commonly associated with LND and thus further enhances ATP production. The synergism of LND and nanozyme affords a high microglial Aβ clearance efficacy without triggering mitochondrial dysfunction. In vivo experiments ascertain that LND@HMPB-T7 could synergistically promote phagocytic clearance of Aβ, relieve neuroinflammation and ameliorate cognitive function in AD mice. These findings indicate that LND@HMPB-T7 holds tremendous clinical potential as a repurposed drug for AD treatment.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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