Effects of calcium alginate-chlorella hydrogel combined with microwave thermotherapy on proliferation, apoptosis and immune activation of pancreatic cancer cells
10.3760/cma.j.cn115667-20240621-00110
- VernacularTitle:海藻酸钙小球藻蛋白复合水凝胶联合微波热疗对胰腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡及免疫激活的作用
- Author:
Chengye PAN
1
;
Donghao CAI
;
Tinglin ZHANG
;
Jie GAO
;
Kaixuan WANG
;
Zhendong JIN
Author Information
1. 海军军医大学第一附属医院消化内科，上海 200433
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Pancreatic neoplasms;
Hydrogel;
Chlorella;
Immuntherapy;
Microwaves therapy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology
2025;25(2):90-96
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To construct a calcium alginate (ALG-Ca 2+) composite hydrogel loaded with chlorella protein (Cp) (ALG-Ca 2+@Cp) and investigate its combined effect with microwave hyperthermia on the proliferation, apoptosis, and immune activation of mouse pancreatic cancer cells. Methods:ALG-Ca 2+@Cp was prepared using a physical cross-linking method and its physiochemical properties was characterized via scanning electron microscopy, rheological analysis, Ca 2+ release experiments, and microwave thermal conversion tests. The BCA protein quantification assay was used to evaluate the adsorption capacity of ALG-Ca 2+@Cp for pancreatic cancer cell antigens. The effects of ALG-Ca 2+@Cp extract combined with microwave intervention on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis protein expression, and cell viability were assessed using CCK-8 assays, ELISA, and Calcein-AM/PI double fluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the maturation-promoting ability of ALG-Ca 2+@Cp on immature mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Results:ALG-Ca 2+@Cp exhibited a three-dimensional network structure with a storage modulus (G') greater than the loss modulus (G''), demonstrating typical hydrogel properties. The hydrogel loaded with 0.5 mol/ml Ca 2+ reached 48°C after 5 minutes of microwave irradiation at 5.0 W/cm 2, and Ca 2+ release plateaued within 5 minutes. ALG-Ca 2+@Cp effectively adsorbed pancreatic cancer cell antigens. Combined with microwave treatment, it significantly reduced pancreatic cancer cell proliferation ( A450 value 0.39±0.07 vs 2.78±0.15) and increased apoptosis markers calreticulin (CRT) and high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) [(557.09±37.84) pg/ml vs (135.14±11.84) pg/ml, (4.77±0.18) ng/ml vs (1.6±0.16) ng/ml], leading to decreased cell viability; and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). ALG-Ca 2+@Cp synergistically promoted the maturation of immature BMDCs in the presence of pancreatic cancer antigens, with a CD 80+ positivity rate of (75.67±6.53)%. Conclusions:ALG-Ca 2+@Cp is successfully constructed. Its combination with microwave hyperthermia can significantly enhance the cytotoxicity and immune activation against mouse pancreatic cancer cells by targeting intracellular antigens and inducing immunogenic cell death.
