Mn3O4 nanozyme-based anti-inflammatory therapy modulates microglial phenotype by downregulating TLR4/NOX2 expression and further alleviates Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Rationale: Evidence shows that neuroinflammation mediated by microglial activation plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the relationship between microglial phenotype and fibrillar β-amyloid (fAβ) pathology in anti-inflammatory treatment of AD remains unclear.

Methods

We designed a water-soluble Mn3O4 nanozymes and demonstrated its ability to reverse lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial transition from M1 to M2 phenotype by clearing reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results

In 5×FAD transgenic mice, intranasal (IN) instillation of Mn3O4 nanozymes initially promoted M2 microglial polarization and significantly reduced neuroinflammation after 4 weeks of treatment. After 8 weeks of continuous treatment, they further alleviate fAβ pathology and improved learning and memory deficits in 5×FAD mice. The excellent anti-inflammatory effect of Mn3O4 nanozymes is achieved by inhibiting the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase isoform 2 (NOX2) pathway to clear ROS.

Conclusions

This study reveals the molecular mechanism of Mn3O4 nanozymes modulating microglia phenotype to attenuate neuroinflammation primarily through inhibition of the TLR4/NOX2 pathway and highlights the temporal sequence of anti-inflammatory treatment in regulating microglial phenotype and improving fAβ pathology, providing new insights for the anti-inflammatory treatment of AD and other neurological diseases.