PEGylated 2D-nanomaterials alleviate Parkinson's disease by shielding PIP2 lipids to inhibit IP3 second messenger signaling

Researches on nano-bio interfaces have revealed that two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials can form functionally impactful architectures upon interaction with biological membranes. These biological impacts may drive various changes of membrane phospholipids, raising the possibility of alleviating neurodegenerative disorders by specifically altering metabolism of membrane phospholipids. Here, we demonstrate that PEGylated 2D nanomaterials including graphene oxide and poly-L-lactic acid sheets (denoted as P-sheet) alleviate behavioral and neuronal degeneration of Parkinson's disease (PD). Upon this finding, we experimentally identify enrichment for the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) lipid interacting with P-sheet and reveal the underlying mechanism by molecular dynamics simulations: a flip-flop orientation shift of PIP2 lipids within the membrane restricts the hydrolysis site, preventing cleavage-mediated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. As a result, Ca2+-related endoplasmic reticulum stress can be reduced to protect the neurons of PD mice. These results together support P-sheet nanomaterials as a new type of drug-free agent for selective modulation of neurodegenerative-disorder-associated membrane-lipid dysregulation and potential PD therapy.