Bio: Dr. Huan Meng received his bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Science from Peking University and his Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After moving to the US, Dr. Meng worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2020, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Meng later relocated to China, where he joined the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology as a Full Professor. Dr. Meng has extensive experience in nano/bio interface and nanotoxicology. He has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications, over 22,000 citations and an H-index of 65.

Abstract: Extensive research in pulmonary nanotoxicology has uncovered key mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced toxicity, including frustrated phagocytosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lung-resident macrophages. These findings, combined with size-dependent lung deposition patterns, underscore the role of macrophages in clearing inhaled nanomaterials, particularly in occupational exposures. Building on these insights, we designed an inhalable lipid-based nanoparticle encapsulating a resolvin precursor, phosphatidylcholine, and polyethylene glycol to enhance lung permeability and mucosal barrier crossing. These nanoparticles efficiently biodistributed in the lungs via inhalation, mitigating nanomaterial-induced inflammation and fibrosis triggered by graphene oxide, rare earth particles, and PM2.5. They reduced lipid peroxidation-driven NLRP3 activation, suppressed NF-κB signaling in macrophages, and modulated ROS-mediated TGF-β/Smad and S1P pathways in epithelial cells at ng/mL dosimetry. Recent scaled-up synthesis demonstrated reproducible particle production, high stability, optimal anti-fibrotic efficacy, and in vivo biocompatibility, validated in murine models.