Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)
Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have garnered considerable interest in the
fields of biotechnology, biomedicine, and radiation medicine, primarily
because of their distinctive attributes, including size-dependent
optical properties and minimal cytotoxicity105. Within
the realm of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), it is worth noting that gold
nanoparticles (Au NPs) present themselves as a potentially fruitful
avenue for exploration in terms of both diagnostic and therapeutic
applications.
Au NPs have been employed as colorimetric sensors and metal ion
detectors to investigate the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The research conducted by Neely et al. developed gold nanoparticles
(AuNPs) conjugated with anti-tau antibodies105,112.
This conjugation allowed for the detection of tau protein concentration
by leveraging the interaction between the antibodies and tau protein
antigen. Utilization of this particular methodology facilitated the
identification of exceedingly minute quantities of amyloid-beta (AD) and
tau proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, thereby establishing the potential
of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as a viable diagnostic instrument for
Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Similarly, Zhang et al. developed a formulation of gold nanoparticles
(Au-NPs) surface-conjugated with a polyA aptamer
(PAapt)113. The objective of their study was to enable
simultaneous detection of amyloid-beta (1-42) oligomers and tau protein
levels. The remarkable specificity exhibited by PAapt Au NPs in their
ability to selectively identify tau proteins and amyloid-beta (1-42)
oligomers, while remaining unaffected by the presence of non-target
proteins, renders them highly promising candidates for the development
of efficient clinical diagnostic tools aimed at detecting multiple
protein biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
A series of investigations conducted by Vimal et al. elucidated the
therapeutic advantages associated with the use of Au-PEG nanoparticles
in the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)114. The
administration of nanogold polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugate resulted
in notable enhancements in cognitive function among transgenic tau P301L
mutant mice, as evidenced by a reduction in the levels of phosphorylated
tau and total tau. Au-PEG nanoparticles (NPs) have demonstrated notable
inhibitory effects on amyloidosis in ex vivo studies involving patients
with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These findings indicate that Au-PEG NPs
hold promise as a viable treatment for AD.
In addition, a study conducted by Ghalandari et al. involved the
synthesis of folic acid-functionalized Au nanoparticles as well as gold
iron oxide (Fe3O4) core-shell nanoparticles103,115.
Notably, both types of nanoparticles exhibited notable affinity for
tubulin and tau proteins. Functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)
exhibit considerable potential for the development of targeted drug
delivery systems for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The utilization of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) research is highly advantageous because of their distinctive
characteristics and compatibility with biological
systems103. The provision of opportunities for early
diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions represents a
significant advancement in the field as it introduces novel avenues for
effectively addressing the challenges presented by Alzheimer’s disease
(AD). However, it is imperative to conduct additional research and
clinical studies to comprehensively understand and exploit the potential
of (Au NPs) in the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).