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

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.