A simple and highly effective catalytic nanozyme scavenger for organophosphorus neurotoxins

A simple and highly efficient catalytic scavenger of poisonous organophosphorus compounds, based on organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH, EC 3.1.8.1), is produced in aqueous solution by electrostatic coupling of the hexahistidine tagged OPH (His₆-OPH) and poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-glutamic acid) diblock copolymer. The resulting polyion complex, termed nano-OPH, has a spherical morphology and a diameter from 25 nm to 100 nm. Incorporation of His₆-OPH in nano-OPH preserves catalytic activity and increases stability of the enzyme allowing its storage in aqueous solution for over a year. It also decreases the immune and inflammatory responses to His₆-OPH in vivo as determined by anti-OPH IgG and cytokines formation in Sprague Dawley rats and Balb/c mice, respectively. The nano-OPH pharmacokinetic parameters are improved compared to the naked enzyme suggesting longer blood circulation after intravenous (iv) administrations in rats. Moreover, nano-OPH is bioavailable after intramuscular (im), intraperitoneal (ip) and even transbuccal (tb) administration, and has shown ability to protect animals from exposure to a pesticide, paraoxon and a warfare agent, VX. In particular, a complete protection against the lethal doses of paraoxon was observed with nano-OPH administered iv and ip as much as 17 h, im 5.5 h and tb 2 h before the intoxication. Further evaluation of nano-OPH as a catalytic bioscavenger countermeasure against organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and pesticides is warranted.