A self-destructive nanosweeper that captures and clears amyloid β-peptides

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) accumulation resulting from an imbalance between Aβ production and clearance is one of the most important causes in the formation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to preserve the maintenance of Aβ homeostasis and have a notable AD therapy, achieving a method to clear up Aβ plaques becomes an emerging task. Herein, we describe a self-destructive nanosweeper based on multifunctional peptide-polymers that is capable of capturing and clearing Aβ for the effective treatment of AD. The nanosweeper recognize and bind Aβ via co-assembly through hydrogen bonding interactions. The Aβ-loaded nanosweeper enters cells and upregulates autophagy thus promoting the degradation of Aβ. As a result, the nanosweeper decreases the cytotoxicity of Aβ and rescues memory deficits of AD transgenic mice. We believe that this resourceful and synergistic approach has valuable potential as an AD treatment strategy.