Biotechnology

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

In vivo

Oxidative stress

Stratum corneum

Genotoxicity

Biology

Biophysics

Photosynthesis

Nanoparticle

Chemistry

Materials science

In vitro

Ex vivo

Peptide

Photoprotection

Toxicity

Genetics

Biochemistry

Photochemistry

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

ZnO nanoparticles of different sizes were functionalized with an amphipathic peptide, and its effect on nanoparticle stabilization and UV photoprotective activity was studied in this article. The peptide-modified nanoparticles exhibited lower aggregation, significant reduction in Zn2+ leaching in vitro and even inside the cells for smaller particle sizes, reduced photocatalytic activity, and reduced cellular toxicity under UV-B treated conditions. In addition, the peptide-modified 60 nm ZnO nanoparticles showed lower genotoxicity, lower oxidative stress induction levels, less DNA damage responses, and less immunogenic potential than the bare counterparts in the presence of UV-B rays. They localized more in the stratum corneum and epidermis ex vivo, indicating better retention in epidermis, and demonstrated improved UV-B protection and/or skin integrity in SKH-1 mice in vivo compared to unmodified nanoparticles and commercial UV-protective agents tested. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the application of peptide-modified ZnO nanoparticles for improved photoprotection.

ZnO Nanoparticles Modified with an Amphipathic Peptide Show Improved Photoprotection in Skin