NIR-Actuated Morphodynamic 2D Nanopatches for Interface-Programmed Immunoactivation and Tumor Regression

  • Ye Wu
  • , Wencong Jia
  • , Tianlai Xia
  • , Jing Liao
  • , Wenjin He
  • , Huijing Wang
  • , Wei Yang
  • , Xinyue Dai
  • , Wei Feng
  • , Rachel O'Reilly
  • , Zaizai Tong*
  • , Meihua Yu*
  • , Yujie Xie*
  • , Yu Chen*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Achieving precise spatiotemporal modulation of immunostimulatory effects remains a fundamental barrier in tumor immunotherapy, particularly in the context of limited tumor antigen exposure and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Herein, we present a light-responsive “dynamic nanopatch” platform that addresses these challenges through morphology-directed and interface-programmed immunoactivation. Constructed from crystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) and integrated with photothermal conversion elements, the nanopatch undergoes a near-infrared (NIR)-triggered morphology-dynamic transition from a two-dimensional planar structure to a zero-dimensional spherical counterpart. This dynamic structural transformation enables programmable interactions with the cellular membrane, establishing a versatile nanointerface capable of the in situ regulation of cancer cell membrane integrity. Upon NIR irradiation, the nanopatch stably adheres to the tumor cell surface and initiates a cascade of adhesion, deformation, and internalization events. This process promotes localized mechanical stress and membrane perturbation, enhancing the release of tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns, which collectively initiate potent immunogenic cell death. Subsequent activation of antigen-presenting cells leads to robust adaptive immune engagement and amplified immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. This morphodynamic nanopatch offers a highly controllable strategy for cancer immunotherapy and a new paradigm for interface-programmed functionalities with broad implications for precision medicine, immunotherapy, and biomaterial engineering.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2902−2919
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume148
Issue number3
Early online date13 Jan 2026
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

©2026 American Chemical Society

Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • anisotropic
  • CDSA
  • immunotherapy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'NIR-Actuated Morphodynamic 2D Nanopatches for Interface-Programmed Immunoactivation and Tumor Regression'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this