Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released by damaged cells causes inflammation and has been associated with the progression of sepsis. One proposed strategy to treat sepsis is to scavenge this inflammatory circulating cfDNA. Here, we develop a cfDNA-scavenging nanoparticle (NP) that consists of cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) of different molecular weight grafted to zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (PEI–ZIF) in a simple one-pot process. PEIZIF NPs fabricated using PEI 1800 and PEI 25k but not PEI 600 suppressed cfDNA-induced TLR activation and subsequent nuclear factor kappa B pathway activity. PEI 1800–ZIF NPs showed greater inhibition of cfDNA-associated inflammation and multiple organ injury than naked PEI 1800 (lacking ZIF), and had greater therapeutic efficacy in treating sepsis. These results indicate that PEIZIF NPs acts as a “nanotrap” that improves upon naked PEI in scavenging circulating cfDNA, reducing inflammation, and reversing the progression of sepsis, thus providing a novel strategy for sepsis treatment.
About The Expert
Feng Liu
Shu Sheng
Dan Shao
Yongqiang Xiao
Yiling Zhong
Jie Zhou
Chai Hoon Quek
Yanbing Wang
Zhiming Hu
Heshi Liu
Yanhui Li
Huayu Tian
Kam W Leong
Xuesi Chen
References
PubMed