Genetically engineered chondrocyte-mimetic nanoplatform attenuates osteoarthritis by blocking IL-1β and restoring sirtuin-3

Sci Adv. 2025 Jul 25;11(30):eadv4238. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adv4238. Epub 2025 Jul 25.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial disease characterized by joint inflammation and cartilage degeneration, with no disease-modifying drugs available. The vicious cycle between the inflammatory microenvironment (inflamed soil) and dysfunctional chondrocytes (degeneration-related seeds) drives the chronic progressive deterioration of OA. Here, we report a genetically engineered chondrocyte-mimetic nanoplatform (termed HKL-GECM@MPNPs) comprising a honokiol (HKL)-loaded mitochondrion-targeting nanoparticle core coated with an interleukin-1 receptor type 2 (IL-1R2)-overexpressing chondrocyte membrane. HKL-GECM@MPNPs fuse with OA chondrocytes, transferring IL-1R2 onto the plasma membrane and reprogramming the inflamed microenvironment through IL-1β blockade. Mitochondrion-targeting cores then directly deliver HKL to restore mitochondrial sirtuin-3 in OA chondrocytes, reprogramming the cells' pathological phenotype. Intra-articular injection of HKL-GECM@MPNPs in OA mice reduces inflammation, alleviates joint pain, and mitigates cartilage damage through a synergistic effect. Moreover, HKL-GECM@MPNPs effectively reverse cartilage degeneration in human OA cartilage explants. This approach highlights the potential of HKL-GECM@MPNPs to combine IL-1β blockade and mitochondrial sirtuin-3 restoration as a promising strategy for OA treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Allyl Compounds
  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Chondrocytes* / drug effects
  • Chondrocytes* / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Engineering*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-1beta* / metabolism
  • Lignans / administration & dosage
  • Lignans / chemistry
  • Lignans / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Osteoarthritis* / drug therapy
  • Osteoarthritis* / genetics
  • Osteoarthritis* / metabolism
  • Osteoarthritis* / pathology
  • Phenols
  • Sirtuin 3* / genetics
  • Sirtuin 3* / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Sirtuin 3
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • honokiol
  • Lignans
  • Allyl Compounds
  • Phenols