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Genetically engineered GSDME vesicle coated nanoparticle for immune activating and pyroptosis inducing synergetic
Fenglin Miao1,2,3,4, Zhao Wang1,3,4, Qing Wang3
1Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
Abstract:
Fibrosarcoma is a kind of highly malignant sarcoma with high recurrence rate after surgery and unsatisfying efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Increasing the concentration of gasdermin in tumor cell to induce pyroptosis is a promising strategy to treat fibrosarcoma. However, the poor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) infiltration in tumor area limits the therapeutic effect with disabled positive feedback between pyroptosis and anti-tumor immunity. Induing tumor immunogenic cell death to activate anti-tumor immune and delivering gasdermin E (GSDME) to enhance tumor pyroptosis will rebuild the positive feedback. Hence, we proposed and constructed a genetically engineered GSDME vesicle coated nanoparticle (HV-FI) to achieve effective treatment of fibrosarcoma. First, the GSDME membrane-expressing tumor cells are constructed and the GSDME-displaying vesicles are extracted. Then the HV-FI is prepared by hybridizing red blood cell membranes and encapsulating ICG-loaded mesoporous Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The GSDME proteins on the vesicles can effectively induce fibrosarcoma cell pyroptosis with granzyme B. After NIR irradiation, fibrosarcoma cells released DAMPs and activated dendritic cells in vitro. In animal experiments, fibrosarcoma cells underwent pyroptosis and CTL infiltration was boosted in tumor microenvironment. That subsequently enhanced tumor cell pyroptosis with delivered GSDME, creating a synergetic effect of tumor cell pyroptosis and anti-tumor immune activation, ultimately leading to effective tumor clearance. Meanwhile, the immunological memory is established, preventing tumor recurrence after treatment. This work proposes and validates the applicability and effectiveness of nanotherapy based on enhanced tumor pyroptosis induction and immune activation, providing a new method for the treatment of unresectable fibrosarcoma.
Insights
This study introduces a novel nanoparticle therapy that enhances pyroptosis (programmed cell death) in fibrosarcoma tumors. This approach boosts anti-tumor immunity and effectively clears cancer, preventing recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Molecular oncology
Background:
- Fibrosarcoma exhibits high malignancy, recurrence rates, and limited treatment efficacy.
- Inducing pyroptosis via gasdermin E (GSDME) shows therapeutic promise but is hindered by poor immune cell infiltration.
- Activating anti-tumor immunity alongside pyroptosis is crucial for effective fibrosarcoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a genetically engineered nanoparticle (HV-FI) for enhanced fibrosarcoma pyroptosis and immune activation.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis and immune response in fibrosarcoma.
- To establish a novel nanotherapy for treating unresectable fibrosarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Construction of GSDME-displaying vesicles from engineered fibrosarcoma cells.
- Preparation of HV-FI nanoparticles by hybridizing red blood cell membranes with ICG-loaded mesoporous Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of HV-FI for inducing pyroptosis, immune activation, and anti-tumor effects.
Main Results:
- HV-FI effectively induced fibrosarcoma cell pyroptosis and released damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
- NIR irradiation enhanced pyroptosis and activated dendritic cells, leading to increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration.
- The combined pyroptosis and immune activation resulted in significant tumor clearance and established immunological memory.
Conclusions:
- The developed GSDME-displaying nanoparticle (HV-FI) effectively treats fibrosarcoma by synergistically enhancing pyroptosis and anti-tumor immunity.
- This nanotherapy overcomes limitations of traditional treatments by rebuilding the positive feedback loop between pyroptosis and anti-tumor immunity.
- HV-FI represents a promising therapeutic strategy for unresectable fibrosarcoma, offering potential for preventing tumor recurrence.

