A Self-Catalytic NO/O₂ Gas-Releasing Nanozyme for Radiotherapy Sensitization through Vascular Normalization and Hypoxia Relief.

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT), essential for treating various cancers, faces challenges from tumor hypoxia, which induces radioresistance. A tumor-targeted "prosthetic-Arginine" coassembled nanozyme system, engineered to catalytically generate nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O₂) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), overcoming hypoxia and enhancing radiosensitivity is presented. This system integrates the prosthetic heme of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and catalase (CAT) with NO-donating Fmoc-protected Arginine and Ru³⁺ ions, creating HRRu nanozymes that merge NOS and CAT functionalities. Surface modification with human heavy chain ferritin (HFn) improves the targeting ability of nanozymes (HRRu-HFn) to tumor tissues. In the TME, strategic arginine incorporation within the nanozyme allows autonomous O₂ and NO release, triggered by endogenous hydrogen peroxide, elevating NO and O₂ levels to normalize vasculature and improve blood perfusion, thus mitigating hypoxia. Employing the intrinsic O₂-transporting ability of heme, HRRu-HFn nanozymes also deliver O₂ directly to the tumor site. Utilizing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as a tumor model, the studies reveal that the synergistic functions of NO and O₂ production, alongside targeted delivery, enable the HRRu-HFn nanozymes to combat tumor hypoxia and potentiate radiotherapy. This HRRu-HFn nanozyme based approach holds the potential to reduce the radiation dose required and minimize side effects associated with conventional radiotherapy.