An Esterase-Responsive SLC7A11 shRNA Delivery System Induced Ferroptosis and Suppressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression
Hui Zhang,
Jianguo Wang,
Xiaonan Xiang,
Chang Xie,
Xinfeng Lu,
Haijun Guo,
Yiyang Sun,
Zhixiong Shi,
Hongliang Song,
Nasha Qiu,
Xiao Xu
Affiliations
Hui Zhang
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Jianguo Wang
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Xiaonan Xiang
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
Chang Xie
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
Xinfeng Lu
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Haijun Guo
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
Yiyang Sun
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Zhixiong Shi
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
Hongliang Song
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Nasha Qiu
The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
Xiao Xu
Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
Ferroptosis has garnered attention as a potential approach to fight against cancer, which is characterized by the iron-driven buildup of lipid peroxidation. However, the robust defense mechanisms against intracellular ferroptosis pose significant challenges to its effective induction. In this paper, an effective gene delivery vehicle was developed to transport solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) shRNA (shSLC7A11), which downregulates the expression of the channel protein SLC7A11 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), evoking a surge in reactive oxygen species production, iron accumulation, and lipid peroxidation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and subsequently leading to ferroptosis. This delivery system is composed of an HCC-targeting lipid layer and esterase-responsive cationic polymer, a poly{N-[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]-N-[p-acetyloxyphenyl]-N} (PQDEA) condensed shSLC7A11 core (G−LPQDEA/shSLC7A11). After intravenous (i.v.) injection, G−LPQDEA/shSLC7A11 quickly accumulated in the tumor, retarding its growth by 77% and improving survival by two times. This study is the first to construct a gene delivery system, G−LPQDEA/shSLC7A11, that effectively inhibits HCC progression by downregulating SLC7A11 expression. This underscores its therapeutic potential as a safe and valuable candidate for clinical treatment.
