ROS-Inducing Micelles Sensitize Tumor-Associated Macrophages to TLR3 Stimulation for Potent Immunotherapy

Biomacromolecules. 2018 Jun 11;19(6):2146-2155. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00239. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Abstract

One approach to cancer immunotherapy is the repolarization of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to antitumor M1 macrophages. The present study developed galactose-functionalized zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) grafted poly(l-lysine)- b-poly(ethylene glycol) polypeptide micelles (ZnPP PM) for TAM-targeted immunopotentiator delivery, which aimed at in vivo repolarization of TAMs to antitumor M1 macrophages. The outcomes revealed that ROS-inducing ZnPP PM demonstrated specificity for the in vitro and in vivo targeting of macrophages, elevated the level of ROS, and lowered STAT3 expression in BM-TAMs. Poly I:C (PIC, a TLR3 agonist)-loaded ZnPP PM (ZnPP PM/PIC) efficiently repolarized TAMs to M1 macrophages, which were reliant on ROS generation. Further, ZnPP PM/PIC substantially elevated the activated NK cells and T lymphocytes in B16-F10 melanoma tumors, which caused vigorous tumor regression. Therefore, the TAM-targeted transport of an immunologic adjuvant with ZnPP-grafted nanovectors may be a potential strategy to repolarize TAMs to M1 macrophages in situ for effective cancer immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Melanoma* / immunology
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Melanoma* / therapy
  • Mice
  • Micelles*
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / immunology*

Substances

  • Micelles
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • TLR3 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Poly I-C