Hierarchical functional nanoparticles boost osteoarthritis therapy by utilizing joint-resident mesenchymal stem cells

Utilization of joint-resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to repair articular cartilage is a promising strategy in osteoarthritis (OA) therapy but remains a considerable research challenge. Here, hierarchical targeting and microenvironment responsive peptide functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) are used to achieve cartilage repair in situ. Ultrasmall copper oxide (CuO) NPs are conjugated with type 2 collagen and MSC dual-targeting peptide (designated WPV) with a matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2)-sensitive sequence as a spacer to achieve hierarchical targeting. Guided by this peptide, WPV-CuO NPs initially penetrate cartilage and subsequently expose the inner MSC-targeted peptide to attract MSCs through MMP-2 clearance. CuO further promotes chondrogenesis of MSCs. In an anterior cruciate ligament transection rat model, intraarticular injection of WPV-CuO NPs induces significant reduction of cartilage destruction. The therapeutic mechanism involves inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, as determined via transcriptome analysis. In conclusion, a novel therapeutic strategy for OA has been successfully developed based on localized MSC recruitment and cartilage repair without transplantation of exogenous cells or growth factors. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01297-w.