Ultra-small Janus nanoparticle-induced activation of ferroptosis for synergistic tumor immunotherapy

Ferroptosis induced by lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation is an effective cell death pathway for cancer therapy. However, how to effectively induce ferroptosis at tumor sites and improve its therapeutic effectiveness remains challenging. Here, MnFe2O4@NaGdF4@NLG919@HA (MGNH) nanocomplex with tumor-specific targeting and TME response is constructed to overcome immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to potentiate the curative effect of ferroptosis by coupling the immune checkpoint indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor, NLG919, and hyaluronic acid (HA) to novel ultra-small MnFe2O4@NaGdF4 (MG) nanoparticles with a Janus structure. Firstly, tumor site-precise delivery of MG and NLG919 is achieved with HA targeting. Secondly, MG acts as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, which not only has a good photothermal effect to realize tumor photothermal therapy, but also depletes glutathione and catalyzes the production of reactive oxygen species from endogenous H2O2, which effectively promotes the accumulation of LPO and inhibits the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4, achieving enhanced ferroptosis. Thirdly, NLG919 inhibits the differentiation of Tregs by blocking the tryptophan/kynurenine immune escape pathway, thereby reversing immunosuppressive TME together with the Mn2+-activated cGAS-STING pathway. This work contributes new perspectives for the development of novel ultra-small Janus nanoparticles to reshape immunosuppressive TME and ferroptosis activation. The Janus structured MnFe2O4@NaGdF4@NLG919@HA (MGNH) nanocomplex was synthesized, which can realize the precise delivery of T1/T2 contrast agents MnFe2O4@NaGdF4 (MG) and NLG919 at the tumor site under the ultra-small Janus structural characteristics and targeted molecule HA. The production of ROS, consumption of GSH, and photothermal properties of MGNH make it possible for CDT/PTT activated ferroptosis, and synergistically disrupt and reprogram tumor growth and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with NLG919 and Mn2+-mediated activation of cGAS-STING pathway, achieving CDT/PTT/immunotherapy activated by ferroptosis. Meanwhile, ultra-small structural properties of MGNH facilitate subsequent metabolic clearance by the body, allowing for the minimization of potential biotoxicity associated with its prolonged retention.