RESUMO
Drug-loaded nanoparticles have been widely used as synergists in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) tumor ablation therapy. However, these synergists have certain limitations, such as poor tumor targeting and low accumulation at the tumor site, that restrict the therapeutic efficacy of HIFU. In this study, we utilized drug-loaded nanoparticles conjugated with genetically engineered bacteria which can selectively colonize the hypoxic areas of tumor to facilitate HIFU ablation. Genetically modified Escherichia coli carrying gas vesicles (GVs-E. coli), which were gas-filled protein nanostructures, had a negatively charged surface and could specifically target into the tumor. In contrast, paclitaxel (PTX) and perfluorohexane (PFH) co-loaded cationic lipid nanoparticles (PTX-CLs) had a positively charged surface, hence, GVs-E. coli was used as a vehicle by conjugating with PTX-CLs via electrostatic adsorption and subsequently attracting more PTX-CLs to the tumor site. To improve the therapeutic efficiency of HIFU, the GVs in GVs-E. coli and PFH encapsulated in PTX-CLs could act as cavitation nuclei to enhance the HIFU cavitation effect, while PTX entrapped in PTX-CLs was released at the tumor site under HIFU irradiation, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of HIFU and chemo-synergistic therapy. This novel combination strategy has great potential for cancer treatment.
Assuntos
Nanopartículas , Neoplasias , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Escherichia coli/genética , Humanos , Lipossomos , Nanopartículas/química , Neoplasias/terapia , PaclitaxelRESUMO
The acoustic propagation characteristic of ultrasound determines that the energy of ultrasound beam will decrease with the increase of its propagation depth in the body. Similarly, the energy of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) will be attenuated with the increase of HIFU propagation depth in the body. Ensuring sufficient ultrasound energy deposition in the HIFU ablation region for tumor ablation is usually achieved by increasing the ultrasound irradiation power or prolonging the ultrasound ablation time. However, these two methods may damage the normal tissue adjacent to the HIFU ablation region. Herein, we constructed the nanoparticles conjugated with tumor-homing bacteria as the biological tumor-homing synergist to facilitate HIFU-mediated tumor ablation avoiding the potential safety risk. In our strategy, Bifidobacterium bifidum (B.bifidum) was selectively colonized in the hypoxic region of solid tumors after been injected into 4T1 breast cancer bearing-BALB/c mice via the tail vein due to its anaerobic growth characteristic. The amount of B. bifidum with negative surface potential in the hypoxic region of solid tumors was increased by its anaerobic proliferation. Polyethylenimine (PEI) -modified Poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles loaded sodium bicarbonate (PEI-PLGA-NaHCO3-NPs) with positive surface potential injected into 4T1 breast cancer bearing-BALB/c mice via the tail vein displayed the tumor-homing ability by the electrostatic adsorption with B. bifidum colonized solid tumors. PEI-PLGA-NaHCO3-NPs could release NaHCO3 to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) as cavitation nuclei inside the acidic microenvironment of solid tumors. When HIFU irradiated solid tumors contained with more cavitation nuclei, the ultrasound energy deposition at the tumor region was increased to destroy the tumors more effectively. Meanwhile, the improved efficiency of HIFU-mediated tumor ablation reduced the dependence of the tumor ablation on the ultrasound energy dose, which improved the safety of HIFU-mediated tumor ablation to the non-targeted ablation tissue. This tumor-homing synergist shows the potential application value on the HIFU-mediated tumor ablation in the clinical.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bifidobacterium bifidum/isolamento & purificação , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/microbiologia , Nanopartículas/química , Polietilenoimina/farmacologia , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico/farmacologia , Animais , Antineoplásicos/química , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Feminino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Polietilenoimina/química , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico/química , Ondas UltrassônicasRESUMO
The hypoxic region microenvironment reduces the susceptibility of the cancer cells to radiotherapy and anticancer drugs of the solid tumors. However, the reduced oxygen surroundings provide an appreciable habitat for anaerobic bacteria to colonize and proliferate. Herein, we present a biocompatible bacteriabased system that can deliver poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) nanoparticles(PLGA NPs) specifically targeting into solid tumor to achieve precision imaging and treatment. In our strategy, anaerobic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) that colonizes selectively in hypoxic regions of animal body was successfully used as a vehicle to conjugate with PLGA NPs and transported into solid tumors. To improve the efficacy and specificity of tumor therapy, low-boiling point perfluorohexane (PFH) liquid was wrapped in the core of PLGA NPs (PFH/PLGA NPs), which could increase the deposition of energy by affecting the acoustic environment of the tumor and destroy cells after liquid-gas phase transition during High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) irradiation. This strategy shows an effective diagnosis and treatment integration for giving stronger imaging, longer retention period and more effective tumor therapy.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bifidobacterium longum/química , Fluorocarbonos/química , Nanopartículas/química , Imagem Óptica , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico/química , Animais , Feminino , Fluorocarbonos/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/microbiologia , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/terapia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Nus , Nanopartículas/administração & dosagem , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico/administração & dosagem , Células Tumorais CultivadasRESUMO
Focused ultrasonic ablation surgery (FUAS) for tumor treatment has emerged as an effective non-invasive therapeutic approach, but its widespread clinical utilization is limited by its low therapeutic efficiency caused by inadequate tumor targeting, single imaging modality, and possible tumor recurrence following surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a biological targeting synergistic system consisting of genetically engineered bacteria and multi-functional nanoparticles to overcome these limitations. Escherichia coli was genetically modified to carry an acoustic reporter gene encoding the formation of gas vesicles (GVs) and then target the tumor hypoxic environment in mice. After E. coli producing GVs (GVs-E. coli) colonized the tumor target area, ultrasound imaging and collaborative FUAS were performed; multi-functional nanoparticles were then enriched in the tumor target area through electrostatic adsorption. Multi-functional cationic lipid nanoparticles containing IR780, perfluorohexane, and banoxantrone dihydrochloride (AQ4N) were coloaded in the tumor to realize targeted multimodal imaging and enhance the curative effect of FUAS. AQ4N was stimulated by the tumor hypoxic environment and synergistically cooperated with FUAS to kill tumor cells. In sum, synergistic tumor therapy involving multi-functional nanoparticles mediated by genetically engineered bacteria overcomes the limitations and improves the curative effect of existing FUAS. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Inadequate tumor targeting, single image monitoring mode, and prone tumor recurrence following surgery remain significant challenges yet critical for tumor therapy. This study proposes a strategy for genetically engineered bacteria-mediated multifunctional nanoparticles for synergistic tumor therapy. The multifunctional genetically engineered biological targeting synergistic agent can accomplish tumor-targeting therapy, synergistic FUAS ablation, hypoxia-activated chemotherapy combined with FUAS ablation, and multiple-imaging guidance and monitoring all at the same time, thereby compensating for the shortcomings of FUAS treatment. This strategy could pave the way for the progress of tumor therapy.
Assuntos
Nanopartículas , Neoplasias , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Escherichia coli , Lipossomos , Camundongos , Nanopartículas/uso terapêutico , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia , Neoplasias/terapiaRESUMO
PURPOSE: Hypoxia is considered to be obstructive to tumor treatment, but the reduced oxygen surroundings provide a suitable habitat for Bifidobacterium bifidum (BF) to colonize. The anaerobe BF selectively colonizes into tumors following systemic injection due to its preference for the hypoxia in the tumor cores. Therefore, BF may be a potential targeting agent which could be used effectively in tumor treatment. We aimed to determine whether a novel BF-mediated strategy, that was designed to deliver AP-PFH/PLGA NPs (aptamers CCFM641-5-functionalized Perfluorohexane (PFH) loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles) by aptamer-directed approach into solid tumor based on the tumor-targeting ability of BF, could improve efficiency of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: We synthesized AP-PFH/PLGA NPs using double emulsion method and carbodiimide method. Then, we evaluated targeting ability of AP-PFH/PLGA NPs to BF in vivo. Finally, we studied the efficacy of HIFU ablation based on BF plus AP-PFH/PLGA NPs (BF-mediated HIFU ablation) in tumor. RESULTS: The elaborately designed AP-PFH/PLGA NPs can target BF colonized in tumor to achieve high tumor accumulation, which can significantly enhance HIFU therapeutic efficiency. We also found that, compared with traditional chemotherapy, this therapy not only inhibits tumor growth, but also significantly prolongs the survival time of mice. More importantly, this treatment strategy has no obvious side effects. CONCLUSION: We successfully established a novel therapy method, BF-mediated HIFU ablation, which provides an excellent platform for highly efficient and non-invasive therapy of tumor.
Assuntos
Bifidobacterium bifidum/metabolismo , Portadores de Fármacos/metabolismo , Nanopartículas/administração & dosagem , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Fluorocarbonos/química , Humanos , Camundongos , Nanopartículas/uso terapêutico , Poliésteres/químicaRESUMO
PURPOSE: Cancer treatment still faces big challenges in the clinic, which is raising concerns over the world. In this study, we report the novel strategy of combing bacteriotherapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for more efficient breast cancer treatment. METHODS: The acoustic reporter gene (ARG) was genetically engineered to be expressed successfully in Escherichia coli (E. coli) to produce the protein nanoparticles-gas vesicles (GVs). Ultrasound was utilized to visualize the GVs in E. coli. In addition, it was injected intravenously for targeted breast cancer therapy by combing the bacteriotherapy with HIFU therapy. RESULTS: ARG expressed in E. coli can be visualized in vitro and in vivo by ultrasound. After intravenous injection, E. coli containing GVs could specifically target the tumor site, colonize consecutively in the tumor microenvironment, and it could obviously inhibit tumor growth. Meanwhile, E. coli which contained GVs could synergize HIFU therapy efficiently both in vitro and in vivo as the cavitation nuclei. Furthermore, the tumor inhibition rate in the combination therapy group could be high up to 87% compared with that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our novel strategy of combing bacteriotherapy with HIFU therapy can treat breast cancers more effectively than the monotherapies, so it can be seen as a promising strategy.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/terapia , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Engenharia Genética , Nanopartículas/química , Acústica , Animais , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Terapia Combinada , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Genes Reporter , Ablação por Ultrassom Focalizado de Alta Intensidade , Humanos , Lipossomos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Nus , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
PURPOSE: Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a noninvasive method to produce thermal and mechanical destruction along with an immune-stimulatory effect against cancer. However, FUS ablation alone appears insufficient to generate consistent antitumor immunity. In this study, a multifunctional nanoparticle was designed to boost FUS-induced immune effects and achieve systemic, long-lasting antitumor immunity, along with imaging and thermal enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) were constructed by a simple double emulsion method, characterized, and tested for cytotoxicity. The abilities of PA imaging and thermal-synergetic ablation efficiency were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The immune-synergistic effect on dendritic cell (DC) differentiation in vitro and the immune response in vivo were also evaluated. RESULTS: The obtained APS/AuNR/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles have an average diameter of 255.00±0.1717 nm and an APS-loading efficiency of 54.89±2.07%, demonstrating their PA imaging capability and high biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the as-prepared nanoparticles achieved a higher necrosis cell rate and induced apoptosis rate in an in vitro cell suspension assay, greater necrosis area and decreased energy efficiency factor (EEF) in an in vivo rabbit liver assay, and remarkable thermal-synergic performance. In particular, the nanoparticles upregulated the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on cocultured DCs in vitro, followed by declining phagocytic function and enhanced interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (INF)-γ production. Furthermore, they boosted the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and IgG1 (P< 0.001) but not IgG2a. Immune promotion peaked on day 3 after FUS in vivo. CONCLUSION: The multifunctional APS/AuNR/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles can serve as an excellent synergistic agent for FUS therapy, facilitating real-time imaging, promoting thermal ablation effects, and boosting FUS-induced immune effects, which have the potential to be used for further clinical FUS treatment.
Assuntos
Astrágalo/química , Neoplasias da Mama/terapia , Ouro/química , Nanopartículas Multifuncionais/química , Nanotubos/química , Polissacarídeos/química , Terapia por Ultrassom , Animais , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Apoptose , Morte Celular , Diferenciação Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células , Citocinas/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/citologia , Feminino , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Linfócitos do Interstício Tumoral/imunologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Fagocitose , Técnicas Fotoacústicas , Poliésteres/síntese química , Poliésteres/química , Polietilenoglicóis/síntese química , Polietilenoglicóis/química , Coelhos , Nanomedicina Teranóstica , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been recently regarded to be a new type of technique for non-invasive ablation of local tumors and HIFU synergists could significantly improve its therapeutic efficiency. The therapeutic efficiency of HIFU is greatly limited by the low retention of HIFU synergists in the target area and short residence time. This study aimed to explore a method to increase the deposition of HIFU synergists in tumors. Cationic lipid nanoparticle can be used to enhance the HIFU ablation effect, but there is still a problem for it that the deposition amount in the tumor tissue is small and the residence time is short. Bifidobacterium is highly biosafe and can be selectively colonized in the hypoxic zone of tumor tissue. Cationic lipid nanoparticles can be observed in vitro by attachment to bifidobacterium by electrostatic adsorption. And the effect of the proliferation of bifidobacterium in tumor tissues on the retention amount and retention time of cationic lipid nanoparticles in vivo was evaluated. Results showed that the cationic lipid nanoparticles were linked to the surface of Bifidobacterium effectively in vitro, while in vivo, the retention amount and retention time of cationic lipid nanoparticles could be increased by Bifidobacterium in tumor tissues, which provided a new method for improving the therapeutic efficiency of HIFU.