Selective Organ-Targeting Hafnium Oxide Nanoparticles with Multienzyme-Mimetic Activities Attenuate Radiation-Induced Tissue Damage

Abstract

Radioprotective agents hold clinical promises to counteract off-target adverse effects of radiation and benefit radiotherapeutic outcomes, yet the inability to control drug transport in human organs poses a leading limitation. Based upon a validated rank-based multigene signature model, radiosensitivity indices are evaluated of diverse normal organs as a genomic predictor of radiation susceptibility. Selective ORgan-Targeting (SORT) hafnium oxide nanoparticles (HfO₂ NPs) are rationally designed via modulated synthesis by α-lactalbumin, homing to top vulnerable organs. HfO₂ NPs like Hensify are commonly radioenhancers, but SORT HfO₂ NPs exhibit surprising radioprotective effects dictated by unfolded ligands and Hf(0)/Hf(IV) redox couples. Still, the X-ray attenuation patterns allow radiological confirmation in target organs by dual-beam spectral computed tomography. SORT HfO₂ NPs present potent antioxidant activities, catalytically scavenge reactive oxygen species, and mimic multienzyme catalytic activities. Consequently, SORT NPs rescue radiation-induced DNA damage in mouse and rabbit models and provide survival benefits upon lethal exposures. In addition to inhibiting radiation-induced mitochondrial apoptosis, SORT NPs impede DNA damage and inflammation by attenuating activated FoxO, Hippo, TNF, and MAPK interactive cascades. A universal methodology is proposed to reverse radioenhancers into radioprotectors. SORT radioprotective agents with image guidance are envisioned as compelling in personalized shielding from radiation deposition.

Keywords: enzyme mimicking; hafnium oxide nanoparticles; radioprotection; radiosensitivity index; selective organ targeting.