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. 2023 Aug 9;31:63–86. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.001

Table 5.

Summary of nanomaterials activating endogenous NK cells.

Applications Nanomaterials Size Functions of nanomaterials Tumor cell type Ref.
Regulate the TME Vesicular CLAN with siLdha 90 – 100 nm Knockdown LDHA, reprogram pyruvate metabolism, reduce the production of lactate, neutralize the tumor pH 4T1 [229]
Nano-carriers encapsulate siRNAs 130 ± 9 nm Genetically silence the key intrinsic inhibitory NK cell molecules, SHP-1, Cbl-b, and c-Cbl 221-Cw4 [230]
PCM@APAP@RNGs 128.4 ± 0.8 nm Release acetaminophen to inhibit PGE2 secretion for promoting the activity of NK cells Panc02 [231]
Fraxinellone loaded nanoemulsion 145 nm Remold the TME by anti-fibrotic, combine with BRAF peptide vaccine to enhance anti-tumor efficacy BPD6 [232]
Neobavaisoflavone nanoemulsion 100 nm Reduce ROS production, decrease ECM deposition via suppressing TGF-β/SMADs pathway A549 [233]
Nanowires coupled with IL-2 antibody 18 ± 4.3 μm (long) and 6 ± 2.1 μm (short) Capture and potentiate endogenous IL-2 for stimulating NK and T cells Not mentioned [234]
Na–IVAl-DMSN 240 nm Activate DCs to release cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β for recruit NK cells and T cells. CT26 [235]
DAL4-LNP-IL-12 + IL-27 mRNA 130 nm Intratumorally deliver IL-12 and IL-27 mRNAs induced robust infiltration of immune effector cells B16F10 [236]
CLPP/mIL-15 221.3 ± 2.5 nm Promote the express of IL-15 C26 [237]
HA/pIL-12/DOX-PMet 122.1 ± 1.1 nm Promote the express of IL-12 and enhance the M1 macrophage polarization 4T1 [238]
Regulate the tumor cells Pem/Se 47 ± 2 nm Suppress the HLA-E expression and release of pemetrexed MDA-MB-231 [243]
Pem/Se 150 – 200 nm Suppress the HLA-E expression, release of pemetrexed, and increase of ROS generation A549 [244]
SeP/DOX 240 ± 1.3 nm Suppress the HLA-E expression and release of DOX at the tumor site MDA-MB-231 [245]
PSeR/DOX 87 nm Suppress the HLA-E expression and release of DOX at the tumor site MDA-MB-231 [246]
PSeLYAb NPs 199.7 nm Suppress the HLA-E expression and release of Cetuximab at the tumor site HCT-116 [247]
Regulate the NK cells CrvpPS-nano-Se 1 μm Increase the thymus index, T cell subpopulations and NK cells Not mentioned [248]
SeNPs@LNT 160 nm Restore the immunocompetence of dysfunctional immune cells (CD4+ T cells, NK cells, T cells, and B cells) Lung adenocarcinoma [249]
NGO-α-hCD16 150 nm Stimulate NK cells via the CD16 receptor Not mentioned [250]
Cowpea mosaic virus, anti-4-1 B B 36.8 nm Stimulate tumor-resident and CPMV-recruited NK cells within TME CT26, B16F10 [251]
Chiral nanoparticles 140 nm L-type NPs enhance the activation of CD8+ T and NK cells by stimulating DCs EG7.OVA [252]
Co-regulate tumor and NK cells Trifunctional NK-cell engagers Not mentioned Bring tumor cells and NK cells together Raji [253]
IMNs 46 ± 10 nm Modify the tumor cell surface with NK cell-activating signals to activate tumor-infiltrating NK cells B16F10 [254]
α-EGFR/α-CD16/α-4-1 B B EPI NPs 112 ± 7 nm Target EGFR overexpressing tumors and promote the recruitment and activation of NK cells to eradicate tumor B16F10 [255]
Pro-αCD25-NDs 190.1 – 220.2 nm Increase CD25 expression in target cell to enhance αCD25 binding and NK cell-mediated killing J-Lat 10.6 [256]
SeNPs 102 ± 9.6 nm Upregulate the expression of activation receptor-NKG2D and its ligand-NKG2DL HepG2 [257]
(As + Ce6)@MSNs-PEG 121 nm Activate adaptive immunity and release As to enhance the function of innate immunity in the tumor CT26 [258]
Lip-CTN-DNase I–SIS3 37.2 ± 13 nm Photothermal agents, killing cancer cells to induce ICD, promote activation of NK cells 4T1 [259]
Other methods to activate NK cells AuNC@MnO2 91 nm FLI/PAI/MIR guided oxygen-boosted PDT & anti-tumor immunity 4T1 [260]
AuNPs on fluidic liposomes Not mentioned NIR(II) PTT to trigger ICD to potentiate tumor immunotherapy 4T1 [261]
CD@MSNs 50 – 60 nm Photothermal imaging guided PTT cooperated with anti-tumor immunity 4T1 [262]
Nanoscale immunoconjugates 28.0 – 28.5 nm Increase CD8+ T cells, NK cells and macrophages with a decrease of Tregs in the brain tumor area GL261 [263]
ChA CQDs 2 – 5 nm Enhance ferroptosis to activate anti-tumor immunity H22 [264]