<p>Radiotherapy (RT) is essential for glioblastoma treatment but is compromised by two key challenges: hypoxic radio-resistance and the post-radiotherapy leakage of intracellular potassium ions (K<sup>+</sup>) that creates a profound immunosuppressive microenvironment, impairing T cell function and driving macrophage M2 polarization. While existing strategies largely focus on radiosensitizers to overcome hypoxia, few address the downstream consequence of K<sup>+</sup>-mediated immunosuppression. Herein, we engineer a train-style nanorobot (M@Ang-SiO<sub>2</sub>–Au–Pd) that concurrently overcomes both obstacles. The nanorobot features an angiopep-2-modified SiO<sub>2</sub> head for targeted glioblastoma delivery and an asymmetric Pd tail with catalase-like and peroxidase-like nanozyme activities. At the tumor site, Pd catalyzes H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> conversion into O<sub>2</sub> to provide bubble propulsion for deep penetration, while Au–Pd amplify X-ray energy deposition and generate lethal hydroxyl radicals (·OH) to synergistically enhance radiotherapy-induced apoptosis. The nanorobot is coated with a K⁺-selective membrane (M). This design enables its SiO₂ head to specifically capture K⁺ leaked from dying tumor cells. By maintaining low intratumoral K⁺ levels, it prevents macrophages from adopting the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype and alleviates T cell exhaustion. Together, these effects effectively reverse tumor immunosuppression. In an orthotopic glioblastoma model, the nanorobot demonstrated precise tumor targeting, enhanced radio-sensitization, and potent K⁺ regulation. This combination triggered a robust antitumor immune response and significantly prolonged survival. This work establishes a novel paradigm employing nanorobots as ion-adsorbing carriers to modulate the post-radiotherapy ionic microenvironment for synergistic therapy.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Potassium-scavenging train-style nanorobots potentiate radiotherapy and reverse immunosuppression in glioblastoma

  • Peng Liu,
  • Rudong Chen,
  • Xue Yuan,
  • Yijing Zhang,
  • Xintong Li,
  • Baoli Zhou,
  • Xin Xu,
  • Mengbin Ding,
  • Wen Zhang,
  • Xiaoyuan Ji

摘要

Radiotherapy (RT) is essential for glioblastoma treatment but is compromised by two key challenges: hypoxic radio-resistance and the post-radiotherapy leakage of intracellular potassium ions (K+) that creates a profound immunosuppressive microenvironment, impairing T cell function and driving macrophage M2 polarization. While existing strategies largely focus on radiosensitizers to overcome hypoxia, few address the downstream consequence of K+-mediated immunosuppression. Herein, we engineer a train-style nanorobot (M@Ang-SiO2–Au–Pd) that concurrently overcomes both obstacles. The nanorobot features an angiopep-2-modified SiO2 head for targeted glioblastoma delivery and an asymmetric Pd tail with catalase-like and peroxidase-like nanozyme activities. At the tumor site, Pd catalyzes H2O2 conversion into O2 to provide bubble propulsion for deep penetration, while Au–Pd amplify X-ray energy deposition and generate lethal hydroxyl radicals (·OH) to synergistically enhance radiotherapy-induced apoptosis. The nanorobot is coated with a K⁺-selective membrane (M). This design enables its SiO₂ head to specifically capture K⁺ leaked from dying tumor cells. By maintaining low intratumoral K⁺ levels, it prevents macrophages from adopting the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype and alleviates T cell exhaustion. Together, these effects effectively reverse tumor immunosuppression. In an orthotopic glioblastoma model, the nanorobot demonstrated precise tumor targeting, enhanced radio-sensitization, and potent K⁺ regulation. This combination triggered a robust antitumor immune response and significantly prolonged survival. This work establishes a novel paradigm employing nanorobots as ion-adsorbing carriers to modulate the post-radiotherapy ionic microenvironment for synergistic therapy.

Graphical Abstract