From the Disaggregation of Human Islet Amylin Aggregates to Defibrillation of Collagen I Clusters—The Applicability of Nanodiamonds and Carbon Quantum Dots

Clinical evidence suggests a strong association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s diseases (AD) with T2D patients having a significant higher risk of developing AD compared to non-diabetic individua’s. Both AD and T2D share the accumulation of aggregated beta amyloid (Ab) or human islet amylin (hIAPP) with the accumulation and deposition of the proteins resulting in cell dysfunction and death. Prevention of Ab and hIAPP aggregation can be accomplished with various compounds such as dopamine or heparin, reducing cytotoxicity by inhibiting and/or delaying protein aggregation.<br/>We have recently investigated the action of diamond nanoparticles and of carbon quantum dots (CQDS) against Ab and hIAPP aggregation. Within the field of amyloidosis, CQDs derived by the hydrothermal carbonization of glucosamine using ethylenediamine as a passivating coating have shown to be in particular efficient as nano-inhibitors but more interestingly for the disintegration of Ab and hIAPP aggregates. Similar to amyloidosis, fibrillation of collagen I is prevented most strongly by positively charged CQDs. In combination with pulsed-laser illumination the destruction of type I collagen aggregates and vitreous opacities, arising from clumped collagen fibers within the vitreous body that cast shadows on the retina, could be achieved.<br/>References:<br/>A. Barras et al. Carbon quantum dots as a dual platform for the inhibition and light-based destruction of collagen fibers: implications for the treatment of eye floaters. Nanoscale Horizon, 2021, <b>6</b>, 449-461