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Laser nanobubbles induce immunogenic cell death in breast cancer
Hieu T M Nguyen1, Nitesh Katta, Jessica A Widman
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA. jtunnell@mail.utexas.edu.
Abstract:
Recent advances in immunotherapy have highlighted a need for therapeutics that initiate immunogenic cell death in tumors to stimulate the body's immune response to cancer. This study examines whether laser-generated bubbles surrounding nanoparticles ("nanobubbles") induce an immunogenic response for cancer treatment. A single nanosecond laser pulse at 1064 nm generates micron-sized bubbles surrounding gold nanorods in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. Cell death occurred in cells treated with nanorods and irradiated, but not in cells with irradiation treatment alone. Cells treated with nanorods and irradiation had increased damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including increased expression of chaperone proteins human high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). This enhanced expression of DAMPs led to the activation of dendritic cells. Overall, this treatment approach is a rapid and highly specific method to eradicate tumor cells with simultaneous immunogenic cell death signaling, showing potential as a combination strategy for immunotherapy.
Insights
Laser-generated nanobubbles around gold nanorods effectively kill breast cancer cells. This method triggers an immune response by increasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and activating dendritic cells for potential immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Advances in immunotherapy necessitate novel cancer therapeutics that induce immunogenic cell death.
- Stimulating the body's immune response is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if laser-generated nanobubbles surrounding gold nanorods can induce an immunogenic response in cancer cells.
- To evaluate the potential of this approach as a novel cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Gold nanorods were introduced into breast cancer cells.
- A single nanosecond laser pulse (1064 nm) was used to generate nanobubbles around the gold nanorods.
- Cell death and the expression of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Laser-generated nanobubbles induced cell death specifically in cells treated with nanorods and laser irradiation.
- Increased expression of DAMPs, including HMGB1, ATP, and HSP70, was observed.
- Enhanced DAMPs expression led to the activation of dendritic cells.
Conclusions:
- This nanobubble-based treatment rapidly and specifically eradicates tumor cells.
- The treatment simultaneously signals for immunogenic cell death, activating the immune system.
- This approach shows promise as a combination strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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