Metallopeptide nanoreservoirs for concurrent imaging and detoxification of lead (Pb) from human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE1) cells

Abstract

Inspired by natural metallopeptides, our work focuses on engineering self-assembling nanostructures of C₂-symmetric metallopeptide conjugates (MPC) from a pyridine-bis-tripeptide bioprobe that uniquely detects lead (Pb²⁺) ions by emitting a fluorescence signal at 450 nm, which is further intensified in the presence of DAPI (λ_em = 458 nm), enhancing the bioimaging quality. This study enables precise lead quantification by modulating the ionic conformation and morphology. Experimental and theoretical insights elucidate the nanostructure formation mechanism, laying the groundwork for materials encapsulation and advancing lead detoxification. Our proof-of-principle experiment, demonstrating actin filament recovery in lead-treated cells, signifies therapeutic potential for intracellular lead aggregation and introduces novel avenues in biotechnological applications within biomaterials science.