DNA scaffold-framed natural killer cell with programmed drug release for chemo-adoptive cell therapy

Abstract

Choosing appropriate delivery system for chemotherapeutic drugs as well as arranging the time spots for adoptive cells administrations is the key to achieve efficient combined chemo-adoptive cell therapy. Tumor-homing character makes adoptive immune cells appropriate targeting delivery carriers, but they are rarely used for chemtoxic payloads considering payloads internalization during administration which impairs adoptive cells. Herein, we frame adoptive NK cells using DNA scaffold with chemotherapeutic payloads fastened exterior, and achieves time-programmed drugs release and NK cell decapsulation to minimize side effects and enhance therapeutic effect. IL-21 nanoparticles are prepared by conjugating cytokine IL-21 with a GSH cleavable linker and act as anchor points for DNA scaffold assembly. Chemotherapeutic payloads are prepared by loading DOX/verapamil drugs to PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA_drugs NPs), and connected to the exterior of DNA scaffold with a ROS cleavable linker. Porous DNA scaffold protects NK cells functions from impairing by chemotherapeutic payloads, while guarantees efficient communication of NK cells with exterior environment to keep tumor homing capability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor microenvironment releases PLGA_drugs NPs to perform chemotherapy, which subsequently generates a reductive environment to detach DNA scaffold for NK cell and IL-21 release to achieve combined chemo-adoptive cell therapy with enhanced therapeutic efficiency.