{
  "abstract": "Rationale\n\nLupus nephritis (LN) remains a clinical challenge due to the dose-limiting toxicity of conventional immunosuppressants and the poor engraftment/efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapies.Methods\n\nWe report a novel nanoengineered MSC therapeutic for LN by engineering MSCs with a cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-targeting dendritic nanogel. To obtain the hybrid MSC-G3K@T system, we coupled tacrolimus-loaded, disulfide-crosslinked polylysine dendrimer nanogels (G3K@T) onto the MSC membrane. Our system exploits two synergistic targeting strategies: the innate homing capacity of MSCs, plus the specific affinity of the cationic G3K dendrimer for anionic cfDNA, which enriches in inflamed kidneys.Results\n\nOur system acts through two coordinated actions: the nanogel responds to the oxidative renal microenvironment and releases tacrolimus in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, thereby suppressing T-cell activation. At the same time, it scavenges cfDNA, blocking TLR-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling. Working together with the inherent immunomodulatory functions of MSCs, this dual-action strategy yielded robust efficacy in MRL/lpr mice, including a significant reversal of T-cell dysregulation, restoration of glomerular integrity, and reduction of proteinuria and IgG deposition.Conclusions\n\nWe propose that MSC-G3K@T offers a promising route to augment cell-based therapies, creating a versatile platform that could be used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.",
    "Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.",
    "Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.",
    "Research Institute for Biomaterials, Tech Institute for Advanced Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Suqian Advanced Materials Industry Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jiang Tian"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Qinyao Xu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zexin Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zeyu Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Haofang Zhu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Lingyun Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Zhongwei Gu"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fcq94gzxwbqz7.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.7150/thno.136356",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13684394",
  "id": "fcq94gzxwbqz7",
  "issns": [
    "1838-7640"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909248",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2745|Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7207610254",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13684394?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13684394",
  "pmid": "42909248",
  "published": "2026-09-03",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fcq94gzxwbqz7.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42909248",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909248"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2745|Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A nanoengineered MSC therapeutic for synergistic therapy of lupus nephritis via cfDNA clearance and targeted immunomodulation.",
  "title_text": "A nanoengineered MSC therapeutic for synergistic therapy of lupus nephritis via cfDNA clearance and targeted immunomodulation.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fcq94gzxwbqz7",
  "venue": "Theranostics",
  "versions": []
}