Multifunctional Polydopamine-Based Nanoparticles for Dual-Mode Imaging Guided Targeted Therapy of Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common and refractory inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosis and therapies at this stage are inefficient or have severe side effects. In recent years, nanomedicines show great potential for imaging diagnosis and controlled drug release. Herein, we developed a polydopamine (PDA)-based nanocarrier modified with Fe3O4 and Pt nanoparticles and loaded with necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) for the bimodal imaging and therapy of LN. Results demonstrate that Nec-1/PDA@Pt-Fe3O4 nanocarrier exhibits good biocompatibility. Nec-1, as an inhibitor of receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase, can be used to inhibit receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase activity and then reduces inflammation due to LN. Experiments in vitro and in the LN mouse model confirmed that the nanocarrier can reduce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) production by RIPK1 and alleviate the progression of inflammation. Previous studies proved that Pt nanoparticles can catalyze H2O2 to produce oxygen. A blood oxygen graph of mouse photoacoustic tomography confirmed that Nec-1/PDA@Pt-Fe3O4 can generate oxygen to fight against the hypoxic microenvironment of LN. PDA and Fe3O4 are used as photographic developers for photoacoustic or magnetic resonance imaging. The preliminary imaging results support Nec-1/PDA@Pt-Fe3O4 potential for photoacoustic/magnetic resonance dual-mode imaging, which can accurately and non-invasively monitor microscopic changes due to diseases. Nec-1/PDA@Pt-Fe3O4 combining these advantages exhibited outstanding performance in LN imaging and therapy. This work offers valuable insights into LN diagnosis and therapy.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel nanocarrier was developed for the imaging diagnosis and therapy of lupus nephritis. The nanocarrier exhibited good biocompatibility and was able to alleviate the progression of inflammation. Additionally, it could generate oxygen to combat the hypoxic microenvironment caused by nephritis. Preliminary imaging results showed the potential of the nanocarrier for accurately monitoring microscopic changes due to diseases.