A Targeting Membrane Injury Strategy via Calcification for the Inhibition of Leukemia Cells

Abstract

Herein, a novel strategy was developed to inhibit leukemia cells via in situ calcification of biocompatible calcium phosphate targeting at cell membrane. Folic acid is selected as the adaptor of exogenous calcium/phosphate and leukemia cell membrane to induce in situ biomineralization and generate calcium phosphate on the membrane of leukemia cells. Our results demonstrate that the generated calcium phosphate coat significantly inhibits the proliferation of leukemia cells with the inhibition rate of 85%. Mechanistic studies indicate that the in situ calcification disrupts the integrity of cell membrane, increases the LDH leakage, damages the glycolysis ability, and induces the apoptosis. As such, the calcification strategy reported herein may be a potential leukemia therapy without the obvious side effect associated with standard chemotherapeutic drugs.

Cell Membrane as A Promising Therapeutic Target: From Materials Design to Biomedical Applications

“…Additionally, Yang's group applied this strategy to inhibit leukemia cells, including L1210, K562, and KG-1 cells, characterized by their suspension nature. [79] The resulting CaP coating significantly reduced leukemia cell proliferation, achieving an 85 % killing rate. Mechanistic studies indicated that in situ calcification impaired cellular membrane integrity, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, disrupted glycolysis, and altered the cell cycle at the S phase, leading to apoptosis.…”

“…This method showed promise in cervical cancer treatment with minimal toxicity. Additionally, Yang's group applied this strategy to inhibit leukemia cells, including L1210, K562, and KG‐1 cells, characterized by their suspension nature [79] . The resulting CaP coating significantly reduced leukemia cell proliferation, achieving an 85 % killing rate.…”