2. Academic Validation
  3. Membrane-camouflaged nanoparticle alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration via oxidative stress suppression and autophagy activation

Membrane-camouflaged nanoparticle alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration via oxidative stress suppression and autophagy activation

  • Mater Today Bio. 2026 Mar 17:38:103038. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103038.
Zexuan Niu 1 2 3 4,  Yong Fan 5,  Ji Chen 1 2 3 4,  Lichen Ji 1 3 4,  Yu Tong 1 3 4,  Longtao Yao 1 2 3 4,  Sheyuan Ding 1 3 4,  Hai Xu 6,  Jihang Chen 1 3 4,  Qiong Zhang 6,  Chen Zhao 1 3 4,  Jiaxin Chen 7,  Qing Bi 1 2 3 4,  Chen Xia 1 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China.
  • 2 Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325000, China.
  • 3 Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China.
  • 4 Institute of Sports Medicine and Osteoarthropathy of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China.
  • 5 Department of Orthopedics, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, 315010, China.
  • 6 Department of Nursing, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
  • 7 Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
PMID: 41953721 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103038
Abstract

Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and Autophagy imbalance form a vicious cycle driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). However, comprehensive therapeutic strategies remain limited. To address this, we engineered a biomimetic nanoparticle (NPCM@CeO2-RAPA) by encapsulating cerium oxide (CeO2) and rapamycin (RAPA) within a nucleus pulposus cell membrane (NPCM) shell. This biomimetic encapsulation enabled precise targeting of nucleus pulposus cells through membrane fusion. In vitro studies demonstrated that while CeO2 alone alleviated oxidative stress and partially restored mitochondrial function, and RAPA individually modulated Autophagy, the combined treatment NPCM@CeO2-RAPA exhibited superior therapeutic effects. In vivo, the composite nanoparticle significantly suppressed catabolic activity and attenuated IVDD progression in a puncture-induced rat IVDD model. These findings highlight NPCM@(CeO2-RAPA) as a precise and synergistic nanotherapeutic with strong translational potential for IVDD management.

Keywords

Autophagy; Cerium oxide; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Membrane; Oxidative stress; Rapamycin.

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