Chlorin-based photoactivable Galectin-3-inhibitor nanoliposome for enhanced photodynamic therapy and NK cell-related immunity in Melanoma

Photodynamic therapy is a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of melanoma and Ce6-mediated PDT has shown some exciting results in clinical trials. However, PDT in melanoma treatment is still hampered by some melanoma’s protective mechanisms like anti-apoptosis mechanisms and treatment escape pathways. Combined therapy and enhancing immune stimulation were proposed as effective strategies to overcome this resistance. In this paper, a Chlorin-based photoactivable Galectin-3-inhibitor nanoliposome (PGIL) was designed for enhanced Melanoma PDT and immune activation of NK cells. PGIL were synthesized by encapsulating the photosensitizer Chlorin e6 and low molecular citrus pectin in the nanoliposome to realize NIR triggered PDT and LCP release into the cytoplasm. The intracellular release of LCP inhibits the activity of Galectin-3, which increases the apoptosis, inhibits the invade ability and enhanced the recognition ability of NK cells to tumor cells in melanoma cells after PDT. These effects of P...