Metabolism-programming mRNA-lipid nanoparticles remodel the immune microenvironment to improve immunotherapy against MAFLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), poses a formidable therapeutic challenge because of the metabolic stress-induced aberrant immune microenvironment. However, no effective pharmacological therapies for the liver microenvironment remodeling in MAFLD are now available. Here, we developed a lipid nanoparticle (Def-LNP) that incorporates vitamin E-derived phosphatidylcholine (VEPC). Def-LNP effectively ameliorated the hepatic oxidative microenvironment to achieve sustained localized expression of target mRNA in hepatocytes in preclinical models, outperforming a commercially used LNP formulation. In vivo delivery efficiency, stability, and biosafety of Def-LNP were validated in various mammalian models, including mice, pigs, and nonhuman primates. Using clinical samples, we identified a pronounced correlation between T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP) and MAFLD pathogenesis. The administration of Def-LNP loaded with TCPTP-encoding mRNA (Def-LNP@mRNATCPTP) suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling in the hepatocytes of MAFLD mice, leading to hepatic metabolic reprogramming and immunological reconfiguration, a characteristic that is prominently lacking in conventional mRNA-based protein replacement therapy. In preclinical models, the administration of Def-LNP@mRNATCPTP successfully eliminated steatohepatitis, impeded hepatocarcinogenesis, and improved the therapeutic responsiveness of HCC to cancer vaccine and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Def-LNP@mRNATCPTP represents a potential therapeutic strategy for MAFLD and MAFLD-related HCC, potentially offering treatment paradigms for immunotherapy for HCC and metabolic liver diseases.
Cancer
Care/Management

Authors

Yu Yu, Qi Qi, Cao Cao, Cheng Cheng, Zhang Zhang, Wang Wang, Zheng Zheng, Jin Jin, Gao Gao, Lu Lu, Lei Lei, Peng Peng, Su Su, Zhang Zhang, Yu Yu
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