Optically-controlled bacterial metabolite for cancer therapy

Di-Wei Zheng, Ying Chen, Zi-Hao Li, Lu Xu, Chu-Xin Li, Bin Li, Jin-Xuan Fan, Si-Xue Cheng and Xian-Zheng Zhang ()
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Di-Wei Zheng: Wuhan University
Ying Chen: Wuhan University
Zi-Hao Li: Wuhan University
Lu Xu: Wuhan University
Chu-Xin Li: Wuhan University
Bin Li: Wuhan University
Jin-Xuan Fan: Wuhan University
Si-Xue Cheng: Wuhan University
Xian-Zheng Zhang: Wuhan University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Bacteria preferentially accumulating in tumor microenvironments can be utilized as natural vehicles for tumor targeting. However, neither current chemical nor genetic approaches alone can fully satisfy the requirements on both stability and high efficiency. Here, we propose a strategy of “charging” bacteria with a nano-photocatalyst to strengthen their metabolic activities. Carbon nitride (C3N4) is combined with Escherichia coli (E. coli) carrying nitric oxide (NO) generation enzymes for photo-controlled bacterial metabolite therapy (PMT). Under light irradiation, photoelectrons produced by C3N4 can be transferred to E. coli to promote the enzymatic reduction of endogenous NO3– to cytotoxic NO with a 37-fold increase. In a mouse model, C3N4 loaded bacteria are perfectly accumulated throughout the tumor and the PMT treatment results in around 80% inhibition of tumor growth. Thus, synthetic materials-remodeled microorganism may be used to regulate focal microenvironments and increase therapeutic efficiency.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03233-9

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