Aptamer-modified atomically precise gold nanoclusters as targeted nanozymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species in white adipocytes

Abstract Oxidative stress caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to the dysfunction of white adipocytes and white fat, and also promotes triglyceride storage by inhibiting the respiration of adipocytes directly. Nanozymes, as a new generation of artificial enzymes, have exhibited attractive potential in scavenging ROS and treatment of ROS-related diseases. Herein, aptamer-modified atomically precise gold Au₂₅ nanoclusters (Apt-Au₂₅ NCs), are employed as targeted nanozymes to scavenge ROS in white adipocytes. Our results show that Apt-Au₂₅ NCs have high targeting capability toward white adipocytes with low cytotoxicity. Furthermore, Apt-Au₂₅ NCs show high superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and catalase (CAT)-like activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and also good thermal and pH stability compared with natural SOD and CAT. Finally, the efficiency of ROS scavenging by Apt-Au₂₅ NCs in white adipocytes is evaluated. This work demonstrates that Apt-Au₂₅ NCs, as targeted nanozymes, are efficient in scavenging ROS in white adipocytes, exhibiting promising potential for the treatment of obesity and related diseases.