Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
06:12

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum

Published on: May 3, 2024

3.6K

Aptamer-Driven DNA Framework Switches for Clearing Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Positive Extracellular Vesicles via

Liyan Zheng1, Jingchen Zhang2, Panmin Lei3

  • 1Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.

ACS Nano
|March 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a synthetic DNA framework (DF) switch to reprogram macrophages for clearing Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 positive (PD-L1+) extracellular vesicles. This engineered switch enhances anti-cancer immunity and immunotherapy efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Engineering
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The immune system uses molecular switches for homeostasis, but cancer cells exploit these to evade immune surveillance, causing immune tolerance.
  • Synthetic molecular switches are needed to redirect immune signaling and reverse tumor progression, but are rarely reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a synthetic DNA framework (DF) switch for reprogramming macrophage-mediated immune clearance of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 positive (PD-L1+) extracellular vesicles (EVs) in vivo.
  • To engineer a novel aptamer-driven DF switch for precise immune reprogramming.

Main Methods:

  • A synthetic DNA framework (DF) switch, MJ5C-Man6-DF, was designed using a PD-L1-targeting aptamer (MJ5C) and a DF.
  • The switch operates via recognition-then-recruitment: MJ5C binds PD-L1+ EVs, exposing Man6 to recruit macrophages through CD206 for phagocytosis.

Main Results:

  • The MJ5C-Man6-DF switch demonstrated exceptional stability and specificity in vivo.
  • The switch augmented alphaPD-L1 therapy by 90.7% and boosted T cell activation by 55%.

Conclusions:

  • The aptamer-driven DF switch provides a novel strategy for precise immune reprogramming.
  • This DNA-based molecular engineering approach shows promise for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
Keywords:
aptamerextracellular vesiclesframework nucleic acidsimmune reprogrammingswitch

More Related Videos

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection07:54

Highly Efficient Transfection of Human THP-1 Macrophages by Nucleofection

Published on: September 2, 2014

49.0K
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

9.2K

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
9.2K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
5.5K
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
16.6K
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.9K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
9.1K
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
10.8K