{"title":"Tunable multi-responsive N-heterocyclic carbene-gold nanoenzyme for tumor-specific pyroptosis and immune activation in cancer therapy","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nantod.2024.102537","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) poses significant obstacles to effective tumor treatment. Pyroptosis-based immunogenic cell death (ICD) therapy is an ideal strategy to overcome TME heterogeneity and achieve a satisfactory antitumor effect. However, specific activation of pyroptosis in tumors while sparing normal tissue still remains a great challenge. Here, we have developed novel, biocompatible N-heterocyclic carbenes-gold nanoparticles (NHC@AuNPs) as TME-responsive nanoenzyme and potential pyroptosis inducers through an azide-alkyne cycloaddition “click” reaction and direct aurophilic interaction (Au<sup>I</sup>∙∙∙Au<sup>I</sup>). The NHC@AuNPs demonstrated tunable multi-responsive abilities within the TME, including superior peroxidase (POD) activity, GSH depletion through on-site cleavage Au-Au bond, inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and enhancement of ROS. This ROS buildup damages mitochondria, further enhancing H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> release and amplifying the catalytic cycle of ROS production. NHC ligation also exhibited enhanced fusion of NPs with the lipid bilayer, promoting high intracellular uptake in cancer cells. <em>In vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> experiments demonstrated that NHC@AuNPs effectively trigger pyroptosis in tumor cells through the ROS-modulated NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and activate antitumor immunity, such as the increased infiltration of CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells, as well as the significant release of proinflammatory cytokines. These findings provide valuable insights for designing pyroptosis-inducer in cancer therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":395,"journal":{"name":"Nano Today","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":13.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nano Today","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748013224003931","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) poses significant obstacles to effective tumor treatment. Pyroptosis-based immunogenic cell death (ICD) therapy is an ideal strategy to overcome TME heterogeneity and achieve a satisfactory antitumor effect. However, specific activation of pyroptosis in tumors while sparing normal tissue still remains a great challenge. Here, we have developed novel, biocompatible N-heterocyclic carbenes-gold nanoparticles (NHC@AuNPs) as TME-responsive nanoenzyme and potential pyroptosis inducers through an azide-alkyne cycloaddition “click” reaction and direct aurophilic interaction (AuI∙∙∙AuI). The NHC@AuNPs demonstrated tunable multi-responsive abilities within the TME, including superior peroxidase (POD) activity, GSH depletion through on-site cleavage Au-Au bond, inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and enhancement of ROS. This ROS buildup damages mitochondria, further enhancing H2O2 release and amplifying the catalytic cycle of ROS production. NHC ligation also exhibited enhanced fusion of NPs with the lipid bilayer, promoting high intracellular uptake in cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that NHC@AuNPs effectively trigger pyroptosis in tumor cells through the ROS-modulated NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and activate antitumor immunity, such as the increased infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as the significant release of proinflammatory cytokines. These findings provide valuable insights for designing pyroptosis-inducer in cancer therapies.
期刊介绍:
Nano Today is a journal dedicated to publishing influential and innovative work in the field of nanoscience and technology. It covers a wide range of subject areas including biomaterials, materials chemistry, materials science, chemistry, bioengineering, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, engineering, and nanotechnology. The journal considers articles that inform readers about the latest research, breakthroughs, and topical issues in these fields. It provides comprehensive coverage through a mixture of peer-reviewed articles, research news, and information on key developments. Nano Today is abstracted and indexed in Science Citation Index, Ei Compendex, Embase, Scopus, and INSPEC.