Synergistic ROS generation and directional overloading of endogenous calcium induce mitochondrial dysfunction in living cells

Taking advantage of endogenous Ca2+ to upregulate intramitochondrial Ca2+ level has become a powerful mean for mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated tumor therapy. However, the Ca2+ entered into mitochondria is limited ascribing to the uncontrollability and non-selectivity of endogenous Ca2+ transport. It remains a great challenge to make the maximum use of endogenous Ca2+ to ensure sufficient Ca2+ overloading in mitochondria. Herein, we smartly fabricate an intracellular Ca2+ directional transport channel to selectively transport endogenous Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria based on cascade release nanoplatform ABT-199@liposomes/ doxorubicin@FeIII-tannic acid (ABT@Lip/DOX@Fe-TA). In tumor acidic microenvironment, Fe3+ ions are firstly released and reduced by tannic acid (TA) to Fe2+ for ROS generation. Subsequently, under the NIR light irradiation, the released ABT-199 molecules combine with ROS contribute to the formation of IP3R-Grp75-VDAC1 channel between ER and mitochondria, thus Ca2+ ions are directionally delivered and intramitochondrial Ca2+ level is significantly upregulated. The synergetic ROS generation and mitochondrial Ca2+ overloading effectively intensifies mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby achieving efficient tumor inhibition. This work presents a new insight and promising avenue for endogenous Ca2+-involved tumor therapies.

Automated summary

Utilizing the endogenous Ca2+ to upregulate intramitochondrial Ca2+ level is a promising strategy for mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated tumor therapy. However, the uncontrollability and non-selectivity of endogenous Ca2+ transport limit the amount of Ca2+ entering mitochondria. In this study, a smart intracellular Ca2+ directional transport channel was fabricated to selectively transport endogenous Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria, achieving significant upregulation of intramitochondrial Ca2+ level and efficient tumor inhibition through synergetic ROS generation and mitochondrial Ca2+ overloading.