Targeting photodynamic and photothermal therapy to the endoplasmic reticulum enhances immunogenic cancer cell death

Nat Commun. 2019 Jul 26;10(1):3349. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11269-8.

Abstract

Immunogenic cell death (ICD)-associated immunogenicity can be evoked through reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, we generate a double ER-targeting strategy to realize photodynamic therapy (PDT) photothermal therapy (PTT) immunotherapy. This nanosystem consists of ER-targeting pardaxin (FAL) peptides modified-, indocyanine green (ICG) conjugated- hollow gold nanospheres (FAL-ICG-HAuNS), together with an oxygen-delivering hemoglobin (Hb) liposome (FAL-Hb lipo), designed to reverse hypoxia. Compared with non-targeting nanosystems, the ER-targeting naosystem induces robust ER stress and calreticulin (CRT) exposure on the cell surface under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. CRT, a marker for ICD, acts as an 'eat me' signal to stimulate the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells. As a result, a series of immunological responses are activated, including CD8+ T cell proliferation and cytotoxic cytokine secretion. In conclusion, ER-targeting PDT-PTT promoted ICD-associated immunotherapy through direct ROS-based ER stress and exhibited enhanced anti-tumour efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced*
  • Infrared Rays
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanospheres / chemistry
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Gold