A Chimeric Conjugate of Antibody and Programmable DNA Nanoassembly Smartly Activates T Cells for Precise Cancer Cell Targeting

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2022 Sep 5;61(36):e202205902. doi: 10.1002/anie.202205902. Epub 2022 Jul 25.

Abstract

Synthetically directing T-cells against tumors emerges as a promising strategy in immunotherapy, while it remains challenging to smartly engage T cells with tunable immune response. Herein, we report an intelligent molecular platform to engineer T-cell recognition for selective activation to potently kill cancer cells. To this end, we fabricated a hybrid conjugate that uses a click-type DNA-protein conjugation to equip the T cell-engaging antibody with two distinct programmable DNA nanoassemblies. By integrating multiple aptameric antigen-recognitions within a dynamic DNA circuit, we achieved combinatorial recognition of triple-antigens on cancer cells for selective T-cell activation after high-order logic operation. Moreover, by coupling a DNA nanostructure, we precisely defined the valence of the antigen-binding aptamers to tune avidity, realizing effective tumor elimination in vitro and in vivo. Together, we present a versatile and programmable strategy for synthetic immunotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer Immunotherapy; DNA Nanoassembly; DNA-Protein Conjugation; Logic Operation; Programmable DNA Circuit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Antigens
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antigens
  • DNA