Temperature-dependent cell death patterns induced by functionalized gold nanoparticle photothermal therapy in melanoma cells

Abstract

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising approach for cancer targeting therapy. However, the temperature-dependent killing of tumor cells in PTT remains unclear. In this study, we report necroptosis plays a role in the anti-tumor effects observed in gold nanorod (GNR)-mediated PTT in melanoma. We first synthesized gold nanorods with a targeting adaptor FA (GNRs-FA), which achieved high efficacy of targeted delivery to melanoma cells. We further demonstrated PTT, precipitated by GNRs-FA under the induction of near-infrared laser, was temperature-dependent. Furthermore, the photothermal killing of melanoma cells showed different patterns of cell death depending on varying temperature in PTT. In a lower temperature at 43 °C, the percentages of apoptosis, necroptosis and necrosis of tumor cells were 10.2%, 18.3%, and 17.6%, respectively, suggesting the cell killing is ineffective at lower temperatures. When the temperature increased to 49 °C, the cell death pattern switched to necrosis dominant (52.8%). Interestingly, when the PTT achieved a moderate temperature of 46 °C, necroptosis was significantly increased (35.1%). Additionally, GNRs-FA/PPT-mediated necroptosis was regulated by RIPK1 pathway. Taken together, this study is the first to demonstrate that temperature-dependent necroptosis is an important mechanism of inducing melanoma cell death in GNR-mediated PTT in addition to apoptosis and necrosis.

Electromagnetic radiation driving of volume changes in nanocomposites made of a thermosensitive hydrogel polymerized around conducting polymer nanoparticles

“…The DT measured in the composites are large enough for biological applications. 68 The energy applied to drive the transition can be calculated from the RF power and time to be 320 kJ.…”

Non-Apoptotic Cell Death Signaling Pathways in Melanoma

“…In addition, a pan-caspase inhibitor combined with radiotherapy, dacarbazine and hyperthermia significantly reduced melanoma growth by inducing necroptosis and increasing dendritic cell (DC) and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment [150]. Necroptosis was induced in response of melanoma cells to photothermal therapy, but only within a narrow range of temperature [151]. Necroptosis was also reported as a way of dying in response of BRAF V600E melanoma cells to inhibition of the mitochondrial complex I, and this was associated with augmented production of ROS [152].…”

Latest advances in combining gold nanomaterials with physical stimuli towards new responsive therapeutic and diagnostic strategies

“…PTT is defined as the photon-mediated increase of localized temperature that can stimulate physiological responses. In anticancer therapy, PTT is used to kill cancer cells via the generation of localized heat between 43°C and 49°C [101].…”