Oral Astilbin Nanogels Modulate Senescence-Associated CD4⁺ T Cells and Promote Treg Induction in Aged Mice with Colitis.
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- 2Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- 3Laboratory Animal Center of Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- 4Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- 5School of Pharmacy, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- 6School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in older individuals is characterized by immune senescence and deteriorating intestinal homeostasis, both of which limit the efficacy of current therapies. Here, we develop fluorinated β-glucan/pectin nanogels (F₂-Ast@NGs) for oral delivery of astilbin, a natural flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities. This multifunctional platform integrates gastrointestinal protection, colon-targeted release, and local immune modulation. The β-glucan shell preserves nanogel stability during upper gastrointestinal transit while enabling β-glucanase-responsive disassembly in the colon. Fluorocarbon segments enhance mucus penetration, and the pectin matrix prolongs colonic retention, promoting drug accumulation at inflamed sites. In aged mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, F₂-Ast@NGs alleviate disease severity, attenuate senescence-associated features of colonic CD4⁺ T cells, and enhance Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cell (Treg) responses. Concurrently, the β-glucan/pectin nanogel matrix contributes to increased short-chain fatty acid production and favorable alterations in gut microbial composition. Notably, the therapeutic efficacy of F₂-Ast@NGs is markedly attenuated in Foxp3⁺ Treg-depleted mice, supporting an important role for Treg-mediated immunoregulation. Collectively, F₂-Ast@NGs enable precise colonic delivery while coordinately remodeling the intestinal immune and microbial microenvironment, providing a promising oral nanotherapeutic strategy for colitis in aged hosts.
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BibTeX
@article{zhao2026oral,
title = {{Oral Astilbin Nanogels Modulate Senescence-Associated CD4⁺ T Cells and Promote Treg Induction in Aged Mice with Colitis.}},
author = {Lei Zhao and Xinyun Zhang and Qian Ren and Xue Song and Meifang Zhao and Rongshen Wang and Haocheng Du and Yan Chen and Peigen Xu and Jiangyun Liu and Jian Zhang and Jingjing Ma},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/advs.78123},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893426},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Oral Astilbin Nanogels Modulate Senescence-Associated CD4⁺ T Cells and Promote Treg Induction in Aged Mice with Colitis.
AU - Lei Zhao
AU - Xinyun Zhang
AU - Qian Ren
AU - Xue Song
AU - Meifang Zhao
AU - Rongshen Wang
AU - Haocheng Du
AU - Yan Chen
AU - Peigen Xu
AU - Jiangyun Liu
AU - Jian Zhang
AU - Jingjing Ma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/18
JO - Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
DO - 10.1002/advs.78123
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893426
AB - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in older individuals is characterized by immune senescence and deteriorating intestinal homeostasis, both of which limit the efficacy of current therapies. Here, we develop fluorinated β-glucan/pectin nanogels (F₂-Ast@NGs) for oral delivery of astilbin, a natural flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities. This multifunctional platform integrates gastrointestinal protection, colon-targeted release, and local immune modulation. The β-glucan shell preserves nanogel stability during upper gastrointestinal transit while enabling β-glucanase-responsive disassembly in the colon. Fluorocarbon segments enhance mucus penetration, and the pectin matrix prolongs colonic retention, promoting drug accumulation at inflamed sites. In aged mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, F₂-Ast@NGs alleviate disease severity, attenuate senescence-associated features of colonic CD4⁺ T cells, and enhance Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cell (Treg) responses. Concurrently, the β-glucan/pectin nanogel matrix contributes to increased short-chain fatty acid production and favorable alterations in gut microbial composition. Notably, the therapeutic efficacy of F₂-Ast@NGs is markedly attenuated in Foxp3⁺ Treg-depleted mice, supporting an important role for Treg-mediated immunoregulation. Collectively, F₂-Ast@NGs enable precise colonic delivery while coordinately remodeling the intestinal immune and microbial microenvironment, providing a promising oral nanotherapeutic strategy for colitis in aged hosts.
SN - 2198-3844
ER -