Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes

Abstract The biotransformation of nanoparticles plays a crucial role in determining their biological fate and responses. Although a few engineering strategies (e.g., surface functionalization and shape control) have been employed to regulate the fate of nanoparticles, the genetic control of nanopart...

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Main Authors: Mingming Tian, Di Wu, Xiao Gou, Ruibin Li, Xiaowei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58520-z
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author Mingming Tian
Di Wu
Xiao Gou
Ruibin Li
Xiaowei Zhang
author_facet Mingming Tian
Di Wu
Xiao Gou
Ruibin Li
Xiaowei Zhang
author_sort Mingming Tian
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The biotransformation of nanoparticles plays a crucial role in determining their biological fate and responses. Although a few engineering strategies (e.g., surface functionalization and shape control) have been employed to regulate the fate of nanoparticles, the genetic control of nanoparticle biotransformation remains an unexplored avenue. Herein, we utilized a CRISPR-based genome-scale knockout approach to identify genes involved in the biotransformation of rare earth oxide (REO) nanoparticles. We found that the biotransformation of REOs in lysosomes could be genetically controlled via SMPD1. Specifically, suppression of SMPD1 inhibited the transformation of La2O3 into sea urchin-shaped structures, thereby protecting against lysosomal damage, proinflammatory cytokine release, pyroptosis and RE-induced pneumoconiosis. Overall, our study provides insight into how to control the biological fate of nanomaterials.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-cb2eae0b7e3641d89d58bdc23135a0062025-08-20T02:11:42ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-58520-zGenetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomesMingming Tian0Di Wu1Xiao Gou2Ruibin Li3Xiaowei Zhang4School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded EnvironmentsState Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow Medical College, Soochow UniversityState Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing UniversityState Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow Medical College, Soochow UniversitySchool of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded EnvironmentsAbstract The biotransformation of nanoparticles plays a crucial role in determining their biological fate and responses. Although a few engineering strategies (e.g., surface functionalization and shape control) have been employed to regulate the fate of nanoparticles, the genetic control of nanoparticle biotransformation remains an unexplored avenue. Herein, we utilized a CRISPR-based genome-scale knockout approach to identify genes involved in the biotransformation of rare earth oxide (REO) nanoparticles. We found that the biotransformation of REOs in lysosomes could be genetically controlled via SMPD1. Specifically, suppression of SMPD1 inhibited the transformation of La2O3 into sea urchin-shaped structures, thereby protecting against lysosomal damage, proinflammatory cytokine release, pyroptosis and RE-induced pneumoconiosis. Overall, our study provides insight into how to control the biological fate of nanomaterials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58520-z
spellingShingle Mingming Tian
Di Wu
Xiao Gou
Ruibin Li
Xiaowei Zhang
Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
Nature Communications
title Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
title_full Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
title_fullStr Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
title_short Genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
title_sort genetic modulation of rare earth nanoparticle biotransformation shapes biological outcomes
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58520-z
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AT diwu geneticmodulationofrareearthnanoparticlebiotransformationshapesbiologicaloutcomes
AT xiaogou geneticmodulationofrareearthnanoparticlebiotransformationshapesbiologicaloutcomes
AT ruibinli geneticmodulationofrareearthnanoparticlebiotransformationshapesbiologicaloutcomes
AT xiaoweizhang geneticmodulationofrareearthnanoparticlebiotransformationshapesbiologicaloutcomes