Cerium oxide nanoparticles for specific targeting of Aβ aggregates modulate neuronal survival pathways

In the recent years, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) have been studied as potent antioxidant agents able to exert neuroprotective effects. Mitochondrial oxidative stress is a key pathologic factor in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction, can lead to neuronal cell death. Ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles are known to function as strong and recyclable ROS scavengers by shuttling between Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states. Consequently, targeting ceria nanoparticles selectively to mitochondria might be a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. Altogether, our data indicate that the triphenylphosphonium-conjugated ceria nanoparticles are a potential therapeutic candidate for mitochondrial oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords:

cerium oxide nanoparticles , Nanotechnology , Alzheimer