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Triple-pathway synergistic senolysis via AKAP1 silencing and calcium overload: An aptamer-functionalized DNAzyme
Jianqiong Pan1, Liuqin Teng1, Jiaqiong Wu1
1School of Medical Imaging, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, PR China.
Abstract:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lacks therapies that reverse disease progression, partly due to persistent senescent alveolar epithelial type II cells (SAEC II). We report a synergistic senolytic strategy combining mitochondrial calcium overload with AKAP1 silencing. An acid-responsive nanoplatform (CCMD@Lipo-Apt) comprising a CaCO3 core co-loaded with curcumin (CUR), Mn2+, and an AKAP1-targeting DNAzyme, enveloped by an L1CAM aptamer-modified lipid bilayer, enables SAEC II-specific homing. Upon lysosomal acidification, CaCO3 degrades to release Ca2+, CUR (mobilizing ER Ca2+), Mn2+, and the DNAzyme. Mn2+ simultaneously activates DNAzyme to knockdown AKAP1 (sensitizing mitochondria to calcium overload) and directly activates caspase-8. This triple mechanism collapses mitochondrial membrane potential and triggers robust apoptosis exclusively in SAEC II. In a bleomycin-induced mouse model, CCMD@Lipo-Apt clears SAEC II, attenuates fibrosis, and restores lung function without overt toxicity. This work establishes a synthetic-lethal axis for targeted IPF therapy.
