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Madsen HB, Park JH, Chu X, Hou Y, Li Z, Rasmussen LJ, Croteau DL, Bohr VA, Akbari M. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway is modulated by urolithin A. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 217:111897. [PMID: 38109974 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
During aging, general cellular processes, including autophagic clearance and immunological responses become compromised; therefore, identifying compounds that target these cellular processes is an important approach to improve our health span. The innate immune cGAS-STING pathway has emerged as an important signaling system in the organismal defense against viral and bacterial infections, inflammatory responses to cellular damage, regulation of autophagy, and tumor immunosurveillance. These key functions of the cGAS-STING pathway make it an attractive target for pharmacological intervention in disease treatments and in controlling inflammation and immunity. Here, we show that urolithin A (UA), an ellagic acid metabolite, exerts a profound effect on the expression of STING and enhances cGAS-STING activation and cytosolic DNA clearance in human cell lines. Animal laboratory models and limited human trials have reported no obvious adverse effects of UA administration. Thus, the use of UA alone or in combination with other pharmacological compounds may present a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of human diseases that involves aberrant activation of the cGAS-STING pathway or accumulation of cytosolic DNA and this warrants further investigation in relevant transgenic animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- H B Madsen
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, SUND, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - J-H Park
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - X Chu
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Y Hou
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Z Li
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, SUND, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - L J Rasmussen
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, SUND, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - D L Croteau
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA; Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Computational Biology and Genomics Core, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, USA
| | - V A Bohr
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, SUND, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark; Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - M Akbari
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, SUND, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Jeon MJ, Lee H, Jo S, Kang M, Jeong JH, Jeong SH, Lee JY, Song GY, Choo H, Lee S, Kim H. Discovery of novel amidobenzimidazole derivatives as orally available small molecule modulators of stimulator of interferon genes for cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115834. [PMID: 37862818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists show promise as immunomodulatory agents for cancer therapy. In this study, we report the discovery of a novel orally available STING agonist, SAP-04, that exhibits potent immunomodulatory effects for cancer therapy. By optimizing the amidobenzimidazole core with various pyridine-based heterocyclic substituents, we identified a monomeric variant that displayed more efficient STING agonistic activity than the corresponding dimer. SAP-04 efficiently induced cytokine secretion related to innate immunity by directly binding of the compound to the STING protein, followed by sequential signal transduction for the STING signaling pathway and type I interferon (IFN) responses. Further pharmacological validation in vitro and in vivo demonstrated the potential utility of SAP-04 as an immunomodulatory agent for cancer therapy in vivo. The in vivo anticancer effect was observed in a 4T1 breast tumor syngeneic mouse model through oral administration of the compound. Our findings suggest a possible strategy for developing synthetically accessible monomeric variants as orally available STING agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jae Jeon
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyelim Lee
- Center for Brain Disorders, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongman Jo
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kang
- Center for Brain Disorders, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyun Jeong
- Center for Brain Disorders, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyeon Jeong
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Youn Lee
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu Yong Song
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunah Choo
- Center for Brain Disorders, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Lee
- Center for Brain Disorders, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea; Department for HY-KIST Bio-convergence, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
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Elahi R, Hozhabri S, Moradi A, Siahmansouri A, Jahani Maleki A, Esmaeilzadeh A. Targeting the cGAS-STING pathway as an inflammatory crossroad in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2023; 45:639-649. [PMID: 37335770 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2023.2215405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE The emerging pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has imposed significant mortality and morbidity on the world. An appropriate immune response is necessary to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 spread throughout the body. RESULTS During the early stages of infection, the pathway of stimulators of interferon genes (STING), known as the cGAS-STING pathway, has a significant role in the induction of the antiviral immune response by regulating nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), two key pathways responsible for proinflammatory cytokines and type I IFN secretion, respectively. DISCUSSION During the late stages of COVID-19, the uncontrolled inflammatory responses, also known as cytokine storm, lead to the progression of the disease and poor prognosis. Hyperactivity of STING, leading to elevated titers of proinflammatory cytokines, including Interleukin-I (IL-1), IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and tissue necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), is considered one of the primary mechanisms contributing to the cytokine storm in COVID-19. CONCLUSION Exploring the underlying molecular processes involved in dysregulated inflammation can bring up novel anti-COVID-19 therapeutic options. In this article, we aim to discuss the role and current studies targeting the cGAS/STING signaling pathway in both early and late stages of COVID-19 and COVID-19-related complications and the therapeutic potential of STING agonists/antagonists. Furthermore, STING agonists have been discussed as a vaccine adjuvant to induce a potent and persistent immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Elahi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Salar Hozhabri
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Moradi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Amir Siahmansouri
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | | | - Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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4
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Xuan C, Hu R. Chemical Biology Perspectives on STING Agonists as Tumor Immunotherapy. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300405. [PMID: 37794702 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a crucial adaptor protein in the innate immune response. STING activation triggers cytokine secretion, including type I interferon and initiates T cell-mediated adaptive immunity. The activated immune system converts "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" that are highly responsive to T cells by recruiting them to the tumor microenvironment, ultimately leading to potent and long-lasting antitumor effects. Unlike most immune checkpoint inhibitors, STING agonists represent a groundbreaking class of innate immune agonists that hold great potential for effectively targeting various cancer populations and are poised to become a blockbuster in tumor immunotherapy. This review will focus on the correlation between the STING signaling pathway and tumor immunity, as well as explore the impact of STING activation on other biological processes. Ultimately, we will summarize the development and optimization of STING agonists from a medicinal chemistry perspective, evaluate their potential in cancer therapy, and identify possible challenges for future advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyuan Xuan
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24, TongJiaXiang, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24, TongJiaXiang, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
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Huang C, Shao N, Huang Y, Chen J, Wang D, Hu G, Zhang H, Luo L, Xiao Z. Overcoming challenges in the delivery of STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy: A comprehensive review of strategies and future perspectives. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100839. [PMID: 38024837 PMCID: PMC10630661 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) agonists have emerged as promising agents in the field of cancer immunotherapy, owing to their excellent capacity to activate the innate immune response and combat tumor-induced immunosuppression. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the strategies employed to develop effective formulations for STING agonists, with particular emphasis on versatile nano-delivery systems. The recent advancements in delivery systems based on lipids, natural/synthetic polymers, and proteins for STING agonists are summarized. The preparation methodologies of nanoprecipitation, self-assembly, and hydrogel, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are also discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities in developing next-generation STING agonist delivery systems are elaborated. This review aims to serve as a reference for researchers in designing novel and effective STING agonist delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiqing Huang
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, 511400, China
| | - Ni Shao
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yanyu Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Jifeng Chen
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Duo Wang
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Genwen Hu
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Interventional Vascular Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Dongguan, 523560, China
| | - Liangping Luo
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zeyu Xiao
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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6
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Ma M, Dang Y, Chang B, Wang F, Xu J, Chen L, Su H, Li J, Ge B, Chen C, Liu H. TAK1 is an essential kinase for STING trafficking. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3885-3903.e5. [PMID: 37832545 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The translocation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) enables its activation. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of STING exit from the ER remains elusive. Here, we found that STING induces the activation of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) prior to STING trafficking in a TAK1 binding protein 1 (TAB1)-dependent manner. Intriguingly, activated TAK1 directly mediates STING phosphorylation on serine 355, which facilitates its interaction with STING ER exit protein (STEEP) and thereby promotes its oligomerization and translocation to the ERGIC for subsequent activation. Importantly, activation of TAK1 by monophosphoryl lipid A, a TLR4 agonist, boosts cGAMP-induced antitumor immunity dependent on STING phosphorylation in a mouse allograft tumor model. Taken together, TAK1 was identified as a checkpoint for STING activation by promoting its trafficking, providing a basis for combinatory tumor immunotherapy and intervention in STING-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtong Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yifang Dang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China; Central Laboratory, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Boran Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Junfang Xu
- Clinical Translation Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Li Chen
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hang Su
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Baoxue Ge
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China; Clinical Translation Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Chang Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Haipeng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China; Central Laboratory, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine; Shanghai 200433, China.
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7
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Ishida M, Sakai C, Ishida T. Role of DNA damage in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. J Cardiol 2023; 81:331-336. [PMID: 36109257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a cause of coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and stroke. The pathogenesis underlying atherosclerosis is complex but it is clear that inflammation plays a pivotal role. Inflammation in atherosclerosis is triggered by the recognition of intracellular contents released from damaged cells by pattern recognition receptors, and is therefore sterile and chronic. Because the DNA of these cells is damaged, cellular senescence is also involved in this inflammation. Here, we will discuss the emerging evidence of a relationship between DNA damage and inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with a focus on intracellular events and cell fates that arise following DNA damage. Recent evidence will lead us to potential therapeutic targets and allow us to explore potential preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Ishida
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Chiemi Sakai
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ishida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Suptela AJ, Marriott I. Cytosolic DNA sensors and glial responses to endogenous DNA. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130172. [PMID: 36999037 PMCID: PMC10043442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a key driving force for the development and progression of many neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system (CNS) cancers. The initiation of DNA damage responses is a critical step in maintaining genomic integrity and preventing such diseases. However, the absence of these responses or their inability to repair genomic or mitochondrial DNA damage resulting from insults, including ionizing radiation or oxidative stress, can lead to an accumulation of self-DNA in the cytoplasm. Resident CNS cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, are known to produce critical immune mediators following CNS infection due to the recognition of pathogen and damage-associated molecular patterns by specialized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Recently, multiple intracellular PRRs, including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, interferon gamma-inducible 16, absent in melanoma 2, and Z-DNA binding protein, have been identified as cytosolic DNA sensors and to play critical roles in glial immune responses to infectious agents. Intriguingly, these nucleic acid sensors have recently been shown to recognize endogenous DNA and trigger immune responses in peripheral cell types. In the present review, we discuss the available evidence that cytosolic DNA sensors are expressed by resident CNS cells and can mediate their responses to the presence of self-DNA. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for glial DNA sensor-mediated responses to provide protection against tumorigenesis versus the initiation of potentially detrimental neuroinflammation that could initiate or foster the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Determining the mechanisms that underlie the detection of cytosolic DNA by glia and the relative role of each pathway in the context of specific CNS disorders and their stages may prove pivotal in our understanding of the pathogenesis of such conditions and might be leveraged to develop new treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian Marriott
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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Chen L, Xia S, Wang S, Zhou Y, Wang F, Li Z, Li Y, Kong D, Zhang Z, Shao J, Xu X, Zhang F, Zheng S. Naringenin is a Potential Immunomodulator for Inhibiting Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the cGAS-STING Pathway. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:26-37. [PMID: 36406329 PMCID: PMC9647116 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Naringenin is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid that has been studied in chronic liver disease. The mechanism specific to its antifibrosis activity needs further investigation This study was to focused on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) pathway in hepatic stellate cells and clarified the antifibrosis mechanism of naringenin. METHODS The relationship between the cGAS-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and liver fibrosis was analyzed using the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence staining, Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess gene and protein expression levels associated with the cGAS pathway in clinical liver tissue samples and mouse livers. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the relationship between naringenin and cGAS, and western blotting was performed to study the expression of inflammatory factors downstream of cGAS in vitro. RESULTS Clinical database analyses showed that the cGAS-STING pathway is involved in the occurrence of chronic liver disease. Naringenin ameliorated liver injury and liver fibrosis, decreased collagen deposition and cGAS expression, and inhibited inflammation in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated mice. Molecular docking found that cGAS may be a direct target of naringenin. Consistent with the in vivo results, we verified the inhibitory effect of naringenin on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). By using the cGAS-specific agonist double-stranded (ds)DNA, we showed that naringenin attenuated the activation of cGAS and its inflammatory factors affected by dsDNA. We verified that naringenin inhibited the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors by HSCs to ameliorate liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Interrupting the cGAS-STING pathway helped reverse the fibrosis process. Naringenin has potential as an antihepatic fibrosis drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Siwei Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuqi Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Desong Kong
- Chinese Medicine Modernization and Big Data Research Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence to: Shizhong Zheng and Feng Zhang, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4925-9390 (SZ). Tel/Fax: +86-25-85811246, E-mail: (SZ) and (FZ)
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence to: Shizhong Zheng and Feng Zhang, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4925-9390 (SZ). Tel/Fax: +86-25-85811246, E-mail: (SZ) and (FZ)
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10
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Sellaththurai S, Jung S, Kim MJ, Nadarajapillai K, Ganeshalingam S, Jeong JB, Lee J. CRISPR/Cas9-Induced Knockout of Sting Increases Susceptibility of Zebrafish to Bacterial Infection. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020324. [PMID: 36830693 PMCID: PMC9953276 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adapter protein that is activated when cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are present. CDNs originate from the cytosolic DNA of both pathogens and hosts. STING activation promotes efficient immune responses against viral infections; however, its impact in bacterial infections is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Sting in bacterial infections by successfully creating a sting-deficient (sting(-/-) with a 4-bp deletion) knockout zebrafish model using CRISPR/Cas9. The transcriptional modulation of genes downstream of cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase)-Sting pathway-related genes was analyzed in seven-day-old wild-type (WT) and sting(-/-) embryos, as well as in four-day-old LPS-stimulated embryos. The expression of downstream genes was higher in sting(-/-) than in healthy WT fish. The late response was observed in sting(-/-) larvae following LPS treatment, demonstrating the importance of Sting-induced immunity during bacterial infection by activating the cGAS-STING pathway. Furthermore, adult sting(-/-) fish had a high mortality rate and significantly downregulated cGAS-STING pathway-related genes during Edwardsiella piscicida (E. piscicida) infection. In addition, we assessed NF-κB pathway genes following E. piscicida infection. Our results show fluctuating patterns of interleukin-6 (il6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnfα) expression, which is likely due to the influence of other NF-κB pathway-related immune genes. In summary, this study demonstrates the important role of Sting against bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarithaa Sellaththurai
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumi Jung
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Jin Kim
- Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju 37242, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Joon Bum Jeong
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.B.J.); (J.L.)
| | - Jehee Lee
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Republic of Korea
- Fish Vaccine Research Center & Center for Genomic Selection in Korean Aquaculture, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.B.J.); (J.L.)
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11
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The Relationship between Reactive Oxygen Species and the cGAS/STING Signaling Pathway in the Inflammaging Process. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315182. [PMID: 36499506 PMCID: PMC9735967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During Inflammaging, a dysregulation of the immune cell functions is generated, and these cells acquire a senescent phenotype with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS. This increase in pro-inflammatory molecules contributes to the chronic inflammation and oxidative damage of biomolecules, classically observed in the Inflammaging process. One of the most critical oxidative damages is generated to the host DNA. Damaged DNA is located out of the natural compartments, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, and is present in the cell's cytoplasm. This DNA localization activates some DNA sensors, such as the cGAS/STING signaling pathway, that induce transcriptional factors involved in increasing inflammatory molecules. Some of the targets of this signaling pathway are the SASPs. SASPs are secreted pro-inflammatory molecules characteristic of the senescent cells and inducers of ROS production. It has been suggested that oxidative damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA generates activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, increasing ROS levels induced by SASPs. These additional ROS increase oxidative DNA damage, causing a loop during the Inflammaging. However, the relationship between the cGAS/STING pathway and the increase in ROS during Inflammaging has not been clarified. This review attempt to describe the potential connection between the cGAS/STING pathway and ROS during the Inflammaging process, based on the current literature, as a contribution to the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that occur and contribute to the development of the considered adaptative Inflammaging process during aging.
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12
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Daoud F, Arévalo Martínez M, Holst J, Holmberg J, Albinsson S, Swärd K. Role of smooth muscle YAP and TAZ in protection against phenotypic modulation, inflammation, and aneurysm development. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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13
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Design and synthesis of hederagenin derivatives modulating STING/NF-κB signaling for the relief of acute liver injury in septic mice. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114911. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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14
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Tian X, Xu F, Zhu Q, Feng Z, Dai W, Zhou Y, You QD, Xu X. Medicinal chemistry perspective on cGAS-STING signaling pathway with small molecule inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114791. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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15
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Ni H, Zhang H, Li L, Huang H, Guo H, Zhang L, Li C, Xu JX, Nie CP, Li K, Zhang X, Xia X, Li J. T cell-intrinsic STING signaling promotes regulatory T cell induction and immunosuppression by upregulating FOXP3 transcription in cervical cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005151. [PMID: 36126994 PMCID: PMC9490630 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an innate immune sensor of cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA originating from microorganisms and host cells. The activation of cytosolic DNA-STING pathway in tumor microenvironments is usually linked to more robust adaptive immune responses to tumors, however the intracellular function of STING in regulatory T cells is largely unknown. In the present study, we aimed to explore the contribution of intracellular STING activation to regulatory T cell induction (iTreg) in cervical cancer (CC) microenvironments. METHODS Blood samples and tumor specimens were obtained from patients with CC. The intratumoral STING, CCL22, CD8 and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. T cell-specific STING conditional knockout mice (CD4-Cre/STINGflox/flox, TKO) were generated, and syngeneic TC-1 tumor model were investigated. The differentiation and molecular regulatory pathway of human and murine iTreg under different treatments were investigated by ex vivo assays, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR. Tumor-associated exosomes (T-EXO) were isolated from CC cell lines and exosomal contents were identified by ELISA and Western blot analysis. The impact of T-EXO on T cell differentiation was tested in in vitro cell culture. RESULTS Increased STING, CCL22 level, FOXP3+ cells but decreased CD8+ cells in tumor tissues predicted poor survival. Tumor-bearing CD4-Cre-STINGflox/flox (TKO) mice displayed slower tumor growth tendencies as well as fewer FOXP3+ cells but higher CD8+ cell proportion in tumor tissues than wild-type (WT) mice. Activating of STING signaling cooperated with T cell receptor, interleukin-2 receptor and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signals to promote CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ iTreg differentiation from both human and murine CD4+-naïve T cells from WT and IFNAR-/- mice but not TKO or IRF3-/- mice in vitro. Ectopic STING, TBK1 or IRF3 expression promoted iTreg differentiation from human CD4+-naïve T cells. T cell-intrinsic STING activation induced FOXP3 transcription through TBK1-IRF3-mediated SMAD3 and STAT5 phosphorylation independent of interferon-β. In CC, tumor-derived exosomes activated STING signaling in tumor-infiltrated T cells by exosomal TGF-β, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase and 2'-3'-cGAMP, leading to iTreg expansion. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight a novel mechanism for iTreg expansion mediated by tumor-derived exosome-activated T cell-intrinsic STING signal, and provide a rationale for developing immunotherapeutic strategies targeting STING signal in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhe Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Experiment Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Xiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cai-Ping Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Kui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoshi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China .,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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16
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Chamma H, Vila IK, Taffoni C, Turtoi A, Laguette N. Activation of STING in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment: A novel therapeutic opportunity. Cancer Lett 2022; 538:215694. [PMID: 35489447 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a cancer of poor prognosis that presents with a dense desmoplastic stroma that contributes to therapeutic failure. PDAC patients are mostly unresponsive to immunotherapy. However, hopes to elicit response to immunotherapy have emerged with novel strategies targeting the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) protein, which is a major regulator of tumor-associated inflammation. Combination of STING agonists with conventional immunotherapy approaches has proven to potentiate therapeutic benefits in several cancers. However, recent data underscore that the output of STING activation varies depending on the cellular and tissue context. This suggests that tumor heterogeneity, and in particular the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME), is a key factor determining whether STING activation would bear benefits for patients. In this review, we discuss the potential benefits of STING activation in PDAC. To this aim, we describe the major components of the PDAC TME, and the expected consequences of STING activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Chamma
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle K Vila
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Clara Taffoni
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, 34000, Montpellier, France.
| | - Nadine Laguette
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France.
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17
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Sabnis RW. Novel Compounds as STING Modulators for Treating Hepatitis B Virus Infections. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2372-2373. [PMID: 33335658 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ram W. Sabnis
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP, 1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, United States
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