Quantum dots bind nanosheet to promote nanomaterial stability and resist endotoxin-induced fibrosis and PM2.5-induced pneumonia

Qixing Zhou; Dandan Li; Suyan Zhang; Simin Wang; Xiangang Hu

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113420

Quantum dots bind nanosheet to promote nanomaterial stability and resist endotoxin-induced fibrosis and PM_2.5-induced pneumonia

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2022 Apr 1:234:113420. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113420. Epub 2022 Mar 14.

Authors

Qixing Zhou¹, Dandan Li², Suyan Zhang³, Simin Wang⁴, Xiangang Hu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. Electronic address: zhouqx@nankai.edu.cn.
² Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. Electronic address: zheleier@163.com.
³ Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. Electronic address: 1536679184@qq.com.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. Electronic address: 1120200236@mail.nankai.edu.cn.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. Electronic address: huxiangang@nankai.edu.cn.

PMID: 35298970
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113420

Abstract

Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a harmful substance commonly found in various environments that causes lung fibrosis. Exposure to PM_2.5 also increases the risk of respiratory diseases. Through sulfur-carbon bonds and the edge S effect, GOQDs were used to bind in single-layer molybdenum disulfide (SLMoS₂) nanosheets to synthesize SLMoS₂@GOQDs heterojunction structures. GOQDs doping greatly increased the water solubility and stabilized of SLMoS₂. SLMoS₂@GOQDs with catalase-like activity protected cells from ultrastructural and cytomembrane damage and apoptosis induced by LPS. Moreover, the doping of GOQDs enhanced the escape of SLMoS₂@GOQDs from cellular uptake and suppressed the release of Mo ions. Nanosheet-cell interface interactions that were regulated by quantum dots supported these positive effects. Immunofluorescence analysis and cell imaging confirmed that the nanomaterial protected against cell injury by regulating the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the secretion of relevant cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Moreover, SLMoS₂@GOQDs also mitigated pneumonia caused by PM_2.5 in vivo. Collectively, our findings not only provide a simple and effective approach to control lung diseases (caused by LPS or PM_2.5), but also reveal the potential value of heterojunction materials in the fields of toxicology and human health, boosting the application of nanotechnology in the fields of ecotoxicology and environmental safety.

Keywords: Graphene oxide quantum dots; Heterojunction; PM(2.5); Pneumonia; Pulmonary fibrosis; Single-layer molybdenum disulfide.