Open AccessEncapsulation of LXR ligand by D-Nap-GFFY hydrogel enhances anti-tumorigenic actions of LXR and removes LXR-induced lipogenesis
Author(s) -
Ke Feng,
Chuanrui Ma,
Yuxin Liu,
Xiaoxiao Yang,
Zhimou Yang,
Yaoxia Chen,
Tengyan Xu,
Chengbiao Yang,
Shuang Zhang,
Qi Li,
Wei Zhuo,
Dan Zhao,
Peng Zeng,
Jihong Han,
Jie Gao,
Yuanli Chen,
Yajun Duan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
theranostics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.689
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1838-7640
DOI - 10.7150/thno.53139
Subject(s) - nap , lipogenesis , chemistry , liver x receptor , cancer research , interferon , endocrinology , medicine , lipid metabolism , biology , immunology , biochemistry , nuclear receptor , transcription factor , neuroscience , gene
Background and purpose: Activation of liver X receptor (LXR) by its ligand T0901317 (T317) enhances interferon-γ (IFNγ) production to inhibit tumor growth. However, induction of severe hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver by T317 limits its application. The naphthylacetic acid modified D-enantiomeric-glycine-phenylalanine-phenylalanine-tyrosine (D-Nap-GFFY) can form a nanofiber hydrogel which is selectively taken up by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this study, we determined if D-Nap-GFFY-encapsulated T317 (D-Nap-GFFY-T317) can potently inhibit tumor growth while having no adverse lipogenic effects on the liver. Methods: We prepared D-Nap-GFFY-T317 nanofiber hydrogel and subcutaneously injected it into IFNγ deficient (IFNγ -/- ) and wild-type (WT) mice with lung carcinoma, either inoculated LLC1 cells or urethane-induced carcinoma. Mice received oral T317 administration were used for comparison. Effects of treatment on tumor growth, lipogenesis and involved mechanisms were investigated. Results: Compared with T317 oral administration, injection of D-Nap-GFFY-T317 more potently inhibited LLC1 tumor growth in mice. The inhibition was dependent on LXR-activated IFNγ expression in APCs. D-Nap-GFFY-T317 increased M1 while reducing M2 type macrophages in tumors. Associated with activation of IFNγ expression, D-Nap-GFFY-T317 enhanced dendritic cell maturation and infiltration into tumors, increased CD3 + /CD8 + cells in tumors, and inhibited tumor angiogenesis. Similarly, D-Nap-GFFY-T317 more potently inhibited growth of urethane-induced lung carcinomas than T317 oral administration. In these two tumor models, T317 oral administration, but not D-Nap-GFFY-T317 injection, activated hepatic lipogenesis and induced fatty liver. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that D-Nap-GFFY-T317 inhibits lung tumor growth without adverse effects on the liver, indicating the hydrogel-encapsulated LXR ligand might be a novel therapy for tumor treatment.