Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is characterised
by synaptic loss and neurodegeneration. Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation into plaques,
hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain are
considered the pathological hallmarks of AD. However, more recent evidence suggests that
neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of AD and causes dysregulated
cellular activity and neurodegeneration by over-activating microglia. Novel lysozymeencapsulated gold nanoclusters have immunomodulatory roles like inhibiting the formation Aβ
plaques via the modulation of immune responses mediated by microglial cells and can therefore
be used as a new therapy for AD.
Hypothesis: Lysozyme-encapsulated gold nanoclusters (Lys-AuNCs) influence AD pathology
through modulating immune responses mediated by microglial cells and hence may be used as
a therapy for AD.
Methodology: Lys-AuNCs were synthesised using a modified ‘one-pot process’ adding
filtration to account for sterile cell culture. Lys-AuNCs were characterised through fluorescent
lifetime measurements with concentrations calculated from calibration curves to ensure
physiochemical and optical propertiesremained intact. Activation of microglial cell line HMC3
by Lys-AuNCs was confirmed by positive staining with microglia marker IBA-1, then
microglial phenotype was investigated through cell morphological analysis via phase imaging.
Toxicity of Lys-AuNCs on HMC3s was determined via MTT assay. Localisation of LysAuNCs were visualised via z-stack imaging of HMC3 cells. Pro- and anti-inflammatory
markers iNOS and Arg-1 expression induced by Lys-AuNCs were assessed through staining
and quantified using ImageJ software.
Results: HMC3 cells displayed resting morphology when treated with concentrations of LysAuNCs ranging from 50-600 μg/mL with some cells displaying activated morphology at 200
μg/mL. Lys-AuNCs induced a slight decrease in viability in HMC3 cells at 600 μg/mL after
72 hours (-88.9%;*p
| Date of Award | 12 Jun 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Sponsors | University of Strathclyde |
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| Supervisor | Hui-Rong Jiang (Supervisor) & Yu Chen (Supervisor) |
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