Construction of dual functional CuAl-LDHs nanocomposite loaded with IGF2BP3 siRNA for enhanced therapy of gastric cancer

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignancy in China, necessitating innovative treatments. Recent advancements in nucleic acid drugs, particularly small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), have shown promise in therapeutic applications. Biodegradable layered double hydroxides (LDHs), as a class of typical two-dimensional (2D) materials, hold great prospects in biomedical and drug delivery systems. Building on our previous research, which identified the upregulated insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) promoted GC progression, we devised a strategy that leverages the unique properties of LDHs carriers with siRNA therapeutics. Herein, we synthesized CuAl-LDHs containing variable valence metal cations (Cu2+), capable of inducing a Fenton-like reaction in the tumor micro-acid environment (TME) of GC. Subsequently, we constructed si-IGF2BP3/CuAl-LDHs nanocomposites to protect and deliver si-IGF2BP3 via the CuAl-LDHs carrier. The obtained nanocomposites demonstrated significant efficacy in inhibiting GC cell proliferation by silencing the IGF2BP3 gene at both the mRNA and protein levels, accelerating oxidative stress in GC cells through a Fenton-like reaction, and achieving greater suppression of tumor volume than CuAl-LDHs alone. The remarkable anti-tumor effect was attributed to the CuAl-LDHs carrier’s superior siRNA immobilization and delivery capabilities, as well as the catalytic ability of Cu in CuAl-LDHs, facilitating the Fenton-like reaction within TME. Overall, this integrated GC therapy strategy employing LDHs nano-carriers may represent a significant advancement in developing next-generation therapeutic systems. It underscores the potential of LDHs as an effective platform for targeted GC therapy.