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Reactive oxygen species responsive nanomotors for gene edited metabolic disruption and immunotherapy

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiyong Liu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Xiaowei Luan

    (Nanjing University)

  • Qianglan Lu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Shurong Qin

    (Nanjing University)

  • Fei Zeng

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhi Li

    (Nanjing University)

  • Bangshun He

    (Nanjing Medical University)

  • Yujun Song

    (Nanjing University)

Abstract

While gene-editing-based tumor therapy holds promise, conventional passive-diffusion vectors face limited penetration in dense solid tumors. Here, we developed a ROS-driven gene editing nanomotor (RDN@PL), which takes hemin as the core and encapsulates CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids targeting LDHA (A glycolysis key enzyme). In tumor microenvironments, RDN@PL consumes extracellular ROS to fuel self-diffusiophoresis, achieving higher intratumoral accumulation than passive particles. Upon internalization, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) degrades RDN@PL, releasing CO and plasmids. LDHA knockout suppresses glycolysis while CO elevates mitochondrial ROS, which triggers apoptosis by disrupting metabolism and enhancing immunity. Simultaneously, extracellular ROS depletion by non-internalized nanomotors reverses immunogenic cell death (ICD) inhibition, enhancing CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumor. The Janus nanomotor enables extracellular ROS scavenging and intracellular ROS increment via HO-1-responsive cargo release and gene editing. This multi-level intervention strategy demonstrates 93.9 % tumor growth suppression in solid tumor models, providing a blueprint for engineering intelligent nanovesicles in precision oncology.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyong Liu & Xiaowei Luan & Qianglan Lu & Shurong Qin & Fei Zeng & Zhi Li & Bangshun He & Yujun Song, 2025. "Reactive oxygen species responsive nanomotors for gene edited metabolic disruption and immunotherapy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59590-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59590-9
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