C60 fullerene-pentoxifylline dyad nanoparticles enhance autophagy to avoid cytotoxic effects caused by the β-amyloid peptide

Chi-Ming Lee, Sheng Tung Huang, Shih Hao Huang, Hui Wen Lin, Hsiang Ping Tsai, Jui Yu Wu, Chun Mao Lin, Chien Tsu Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Many studies have focused on the neuroprotective effects of C60 fullerene-derived nanomaterials. The peculiar structure of C60 fullerene, which is capable of "adding" multiple radicals per molecule, serves as a "radical sponge," and it can be an effective antioxidant by reducing cytotoxic effects caused by intracellular oxidative stress. In this study, PEG-C60-3, a C60 fullerene derivative incorporating poly(ethylene glycol), and its pentoxifylline-bearing hybrid (PTX-C60-2) were investigated against β-amyloid (Aβ)25-35-induced toxicity toward Neuro-2A cells. PEG-C60-3 and PTX-C60-2 significantly reduced Aβ25-35-induced cytotoxicity, with comparable activities in decreasing reactive oxygen species and maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential. Aβ25-35 treatment elicited adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-associated autophagy. Cytoprotection by PEG-C60-3 and PTX-C60-2 was partially diminished by an autophagy inhibitor, indicating that the elicited autophagy and antioxidative activities protect cells from Aβ damage. PTX-C60-2 was more effective than PEG-C60-3 at enduring the induced autophagy. Our results offer new insights into therapeutic drug design using C60 fullerene-PTX dyad nanoparticles against Aβ-associated diseases. From the Clinical Editor: The neuroprotective effects of C60 fullerene-derived nanomaterials are known and thought to be related to their capacity of "absorbing" multiple free radicals. In this study, another interesting property is presented: they may enhance autophagy of beta-amyloid peptide, which could minimize the damaging effects of this peptide.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)107-114
Number of pages8
JournalNanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Amyloid
  • Autophagy
  • Fullerene
  • Nanoparticles
  • Pentoxiphylline

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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