Calcium nanoparticles target and activate T cells to enhance anti-tumor function

Abstract Calcium signaling plays a crucial role in the activation of T lymphocytes. However, modulating calcium levels to control T cell activation in vivo remains a challenge. In this study, we investigate T cell activation using 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-encapsulated CaCO3 nanoparticles. We fi...

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Main Authors: Wei Yang, Zhizi Feng, Xinning Lai, Jianwen Li, Zhengwei Cao, Fangchao Jiang, Fanghui Chen, Shuyue Zhan, Feng Kong, Li Yang, Yong Teng, Wendy T. Watford, Gang Zhou, Jin Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54402-y
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Summary:Abstract Calcium signaling plays a crucial role in the activation of T lymphocytes. However, modulating calcium levels to control T cell activation in vivo remains a challenge. In this study, we investigate T cell activation using 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-encapsulated CaCO3 nanoparticles. We find that anti-PD-1 antibody-conjugated CaCO3 nanoparticles can be internalized by T cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis and then gradually release calcium. This results in an increase in cytosolic calcium, which triggers the activation of NFAT and NF-κB pathways, especially when the surface of the CaCO3 nanoparticles is loaded with PMA. Animal studies demonstrate that the PMA-loaded calcium nanoparticles enhance the activation and proliferation of cytotoxic T cells, leading to improved tumor suppression without additional toxicity. When tested in metastatic tumor models, T cells loaded with the calcium nanoparticles prior to adoptive cell transfer control tumor growth better, resulting in prolonged animal survival. Our approach offers an alternative T cell activation strategy to potentiate immunotherapy by targeting a fundamental signaling pathway.
ISSN:2041-1723