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Published on: March 15, 2024
Magnet-Responsive Nanomaterials Trigger Ferroptosis and Cellular Senescence Modulation via p53/SLC7A11 Axis for Tumor
Xiaorui Wang1, Mengping Zhang1, Hao Jiang1
1State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, has emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue. However, conventional pro-senescence agents are limited by poor selectivity, unintended activation of apoptosis, and acquired resistance. To address these challenges, we developed a novel nanotherapeutic platform (FAB) that integrated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with the MDM2-p53 inhibitor APG-115, sensitizing tumor to therapy via targeting p53/SLC7A11 axis to bidirectionally regulate ferroptosis and induce cell senescence. Under the alternating magnetic field (AMF) exposure, γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles served as biocompatible ferroptosis inducers that generated abundant lipid peroxides (LPO) while simultaneously triggering DNA damage-mediated p53 activation. Concurrently, APG-115 inhibited MDM2-p53 interaction, further stabilizing and amplifying p53 signaling. Mechanistically, elevated p53 transcriptionally repressed SLC7A11, a key subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, resulting in glutathione depletion and GPX4 inactivation. This cascade markedly enhanced ferroptosis, establishing a self-amplifying feedback loop that exacerbated DNA damage and drives irreversible senescence. Notably, senescent tumor cells exhibit increased thermal susceptibility under AMF, ultimately leading to selective apoptosis. Our study not only elucidated the crosstalk between p53 activation and ferroptosis facilitation in mediating senescence but also provided a promising strategy for enhanced tumor treatment.
Insights
This study introduces a novel nanotherapeutic platform that combines magnetic nanoparticles and a drug to induce cancer cell senescence and ferroptosis, enhancing tumor treatment efficacy. The approach targets the p53/SLC7A11 axis for selective cancer cell apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Cellular senescence offers therapeutic potential but faces challenges with conventional agents.
- Existing pro-senescence therapies lack selectivity and can trigger apoptosis or resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanotherapeutic platform for enhanced tumor treatment.
- To target the p53/SLC7A11 axis to regulate ferroptosis and induce senescence.
- To overcome limitations of conventional pro-senescence agents.
Main Methods:
- Integration of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with MDM2-p53 inhibitor APG-115 into a nanotherapeutic platform (FAB).
- Exposure to alternating magnetic field (AMF) to induce ferroptosis and DNA damage.
- Inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction to stabilize p53 signaling.
- Analysis of p53-mediated repression of SLC7A11, leading to ferroptosis and senescence.
Main Results:
- The FAB platform induced lipid peroxide generation and DNA damage, activating p53.
- Elevated p53 repressed SLC7A11, causing glutathione depletion and enhanced ferroptosis.
- A feedback loop exacerbated DNA damage, driving irreversible senescence and thermal susceptibility in senescent cells.
- Selective apoptosis of senescent tumor cells was achieved under AMF.
Conclusions:
- Elucidation of the crosstalk between p53 activation and ferroptosis in mediating senescence.
- Demonstration of a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for enhanced tumor treatment.
- The FAB platform offers a selective approach to induce senescence and apoptosis in cancer cells.
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