Molecular Recognition Driven Organelle Cross‐Linking Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction to Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy

M Mian Tang (State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China) J Junteng Qiu (State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology University of Macau Taipa Macau SAR 999078 China) Y Yunfeng Lu Z Zhongke Liu (State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology University of Macau Taipa Macau SAR 999078 China) Y Yin Liu C Chenhui Luo (Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China) C Chunhai Fan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) R Ruibing Wang (State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences)

Abstract

Abstract Organelles maintain cellular homeostasis through highly specialized division of labor, dynamic interactions, as well as extensive inter‐organellar information exchange, thereby ensuring the physiological functions of organisms. Although functionalized polymers that target a specific organelle to modulate or disrupt their function have been developed for therapeutic applications, macromolecular systems capable of manipulating two or more types of key organelles remain rare. Here, we designed cyclodextrin and adamantane derivatives that can respectively target endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, to achieve precise spatial manipulation of both organelles at the subcellular organelle level via a specific molecular recognition approach. This approach selectively induced unusual junctions between the ER and mitochondria, disrupting their functional synergy, triggering multiple cellular stress responses, such as Ca 2+ homeostasis imbalance, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, energy metabolism disorder, and ultimately leading to severe immunogenic cell death (ICD). By converting “cold” tumors into “hot” tumors, this strategy provides a supramolecular perspective for tumor immunotherapy.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 47
Published November 17, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

M

Mian Tang

State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China

J

Junteng Qiu

State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology University of Macau Taipa Macau SAR 999078 China

Y

Yunfeng Lu

Z

Zhongke Liu

State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology University of Macau Taipa Macau SAR 999078 China

Y

Yin Liu

C

Chenhui Luo

Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China

C

Chunhai Fan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

R

Ruibing Wang

State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences