Issue 20, 2024

Iridium(iii) complexes conjugated with naproxen exhibit potent anti-tumor activities by inducing mitochondrial damage, modulating inflammation, and enhancing immunity

Abstract

A series of Ir(III)–naproxen (NPX) conjugates with the molecular formula [Ir(C^N)2bpy(4-CH2ONPX-4′-CH2ONPX)](PF6) (Ir-NPX-1–3) were designed and synthesized, including C^N = 2-phenylpyridine (ppy, Ir-NPX-1), 2-(2-thienyl)pyridine (thpy, Ir-NPX-2) and 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy, Ir-NPX-3). Cytotoxicity tests showed that Ir-NPX-1–3 exhibited excellent antitumor activity, especially in A549R cells. The cellular uptake experiment showed that the complexes were mainly localized in mitochondria, and induced apoptosis in A549R cells by damaging the structure and function of mitochondria. The main manifestations are a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, Ir-NPX-1–3 could inhibit the migration and colony formation of cancer cells, demonstrating potential anti-metastatic ability. Finally, the anti-inflammatory and immunological applications of Ir-NPX-1–3 were verified. The downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels and the release of immunogenic cell death (ICD) related signaling molecules such as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (cell surface calreticulin (CRT), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)) indicate that these Ir(III) –NPX conjugates are novel ICD inducers with synergistic effects in multiple anti-tumor pathways.

Graphical abstract: Iridium(iii) complexes conjugated with naproxen exhibit potent anti-tumor activities by inducing mitochondrial damage, modulating inflammation, and enhancing immunity

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Feb 2024
Accepted
29 Apr 2024
First published
07 May 2024

Dalton Trans., 2024,53, 8772-8780

Iridium(III) complexes conjugated with naproxen exhibit potent anti-tumor activities by inducing mitochondrial damage, modulating inflammation, and enhancing immunity

K. Xie, X. Lu, H. Zhu, L. Zhu, R. Li and R. Ye, Dalton Trans., 2024, 53, 8772 DOI: 10.1039/D4DT00575A

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