Differential effects of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles on IAPP amyloid aggregation

Abstract

Recent studies have shown promise on the use of small molecules and nanoparticles (NPs) for the inhibition of protein aggregation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Towards this end here we show the differential effects of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles (AgNPs and IONPs) on the mesoscopic properties of human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) aggregation associated with T2D. Both citrate- and branched polyethyleneimine-coated AgNPs (c-AgNPs, bPEI-AgNPs) inhibited IAPP aggregation at 500 μg mL-1, likely through electrostatic attraction and sequestering of IAPP monomers from fibrillation. In comparison, bare, brushed polyethylene glycol- and phosphorylcholi..