CD93-targeted resveratrol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles remodel CD8⁺ T cell metabolism through AIF-mediated oxidative phosphorylation to overcome lung cancer immunotherapy resistance

Lung cancer (LC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and the limited efficacy of immunotherapy due to treatment resistance underscores the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. In the present study, CD93-targeted poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles encapsulating resveratrol (CD93-NPs@RSV) were developed to remodel the metabolic fitness of CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The nanoparticles were precisely engineered and characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and in vivo imaging, which confirmed their stability and tumor-targeting capability. Mechanistic studies revealed that CD93-NPs@RSV suppressed CD93 expression, facilitated apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) mitochondrial translocation, and activated oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), thereby enhancing T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses further confirmed regulation of the CD93-AKT-PAK5-AIF signaling axis. In a Lewis LC model, CD93-NPs@RSV significantly inhibited tumor progression and displayed strong synergy with anti-PD-1 therapy, resulting in improved survival outcomes. Collectively, our study demonstrates that CD93-NPs@RSV provide a powerful nanotechnology-driven approach to reverse immunotherapy resistance by reprogramming T cell metabolism. These findings establish a promising paradigm for precision cancer immunotherapy and underscore the translational potential of targeted nanomedicine in overcoming therapeutic bottlenecks in LC. Graphical abstract The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.