Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Framework PCN-224 Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared-Induced Attenuation of Aggregation and Neurotoxicity of Alzheimer's Amyloid-beta Peptide

The aberrant aggregation of amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) in the brain has been considered as the major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's diseases (AD). Inhibition of A beta aggregation is considered as an attractive therapeutic intervention for alleviating amyloid-associated neurotoxicity. Here, we report the near-infrared light (NIR)-induced suppression of A beta aggregation and reduction of A beta-induced cytotoxicity via porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF) PCN-224 nanoparticles. PCN-224 nanoparticles are hydrothermally synthesized by coordinating tetra-kis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) ligands with zirconium. The PCN-224 nanoparticles show high photo-oxygenation efficiency, good biocompatibility, and high stability. The study reveals that the porphyrinic MOF-based nanoprobe activated by NIR light could successfully inhibit self-assembly of monomeric A beta into a beta-sheet-rich structure. Furthermore, photoexcited PCN-224 nanoparticles also significantly reduce A beta-induced cytotoxicity under NIR irradiation.