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Xiu Y, Wang S, Zhang P, Li C, Wu Z, Wen J, Xu Y, Lv G, Zhao X, Dong X, Chen Y, Li J, Wang Y, Zou L, Xiao X, Bai Z. Total glucosides of paeony alleviates cGAS-STING-mediated diseases by blocking the STING-IRF3 interaction. Chin J Nat Med 2024; 22:402-415. [PMID: 38796214 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(24)60572-8] [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: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
In the realm of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway has been thoroughly investigated and established. Despite this, the clinical approval of drugs targeting the cGAS-STING pathway has been limited. The Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is highly anti-inflammatory and is commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), emerged as a subject of our study. We found that the TGP markedly reduced the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, triggered by various cGAS-STING agonists, in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP-1) cells. This inhibition was noted alongside the suppression of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation and the expression of interferon-beta (IFN-β), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The mechanism of action appeared to involve the TGP's attenuation of the STING-IRF3 interaction, without affecting STING oligomerization, thereby inhibiting the activation of downstream signaling pathways. In vivo, the TGP hindered the initiation of the cGAS-STING pathway by the STING agonist dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and exhibited promising therapeutic effects in a model of acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN). Our findings underscore the potential of the TGP as an effective inhibitor of the cGAS-STING pathway, offering a new treatment avenue for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases mediated by this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Sihao Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Chengwei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zhixin Wu
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jincai Wen
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yingjie Xu
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Guiji Lv
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xu Dong
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yichong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Liang Zou
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China.
| | - Xiaohe Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Zhaofang Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
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Wang K, Wen Y, Fu X, Wei S, Liu S, Chen M. mtDNA regulates cGAS-STING signaling pathway in adenomyosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 216:80-88. [PMID: 38494142 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
In various hyperproliferative disorders, damaged mitochondria can release mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and subsequent immune imbalances. Our previous research has demonstrated that hypoxia plays a role in the development of adenomyosis (AM) by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the precise involvement of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and mtDNA in AM remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between mtDNA secretion, changes in the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, and the abnormal cellular proliferation observed in AM. We found the cGAS, STING, TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, and p-IRF3 proteins levels were significantly elevated in the tissues of patients with AM compared to the control group. Additionally, there was an increase in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-α in the AM tissues. Hypoxia-induced an increase in the proliferation and migration abilities of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), accompanied by the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and elevated levels of IFN-α. Furthermore, hypoxia promoted the leakage of mtDNA into the cytoplasm in AM ESCs, and the deletion of mtDNA reduced the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Moreover, knockdown of the STING gene inhibited the expression of TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, and p-IRF3 and suppressed the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-α. Furthermore, the migration and invasion abilities of AM ESCs were significantly diminished after STING knockdown. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of mtDNA release and the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of AM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China
| | - Yi Wen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610000, China; Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Xianyun Fu
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China.
| | - Shaobin Wei
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610000, China; Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610000, China.
| | - Shidan Liu
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China
| | - Minmin Chen
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yi Chang, 443000, China
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3
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Dejmek M, Brazdova A, Otava T, Polidarova MP, Klíma M, Smola M, Vavrina Z, Buděšínský M, Dračínský M, Liboska R, Boura E, Birkuš G, Nencka R. Vinylphosphonate-based cyclic dinucleotides enhance STING-mediated cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115685. [PMID: 37567057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115685] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) trigger the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, which plays a key role in cytosolic DNA sensing and thus in immunomodulation against infections, cell damage and cancer. However, cancer immunotherapy trials with CDNs have shown immune activation, but not complete tumor regression. Nevertheless, we designed a novel class of CDNs containing vinylphosphonate based on a STING-affinity screening assay. In vitro, acyloxymethyl phosphate/phosphonate prodrugs of these vinylphosphonate CDNs were up to 1000-fold more potent than the clinical candidate ADU-S100. In vivo, the lead prodrug induced tumor-specific T cell priming and facilitated tumor regression in the 4T1 syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer. Moreover, we solved the crystal structure of this ligand bound to the STING protein. Therefore, our findings not only validate the therapeutic potential of vinylphosphonate CDNs but also open up opportunities for drug development in cancer immunotherapy bridging innate and adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Dejmek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Brazdova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Průmyslová 595, Vestec, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Otava
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic; Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Pimkova Polidarova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Průmyslová 595, Vestec, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Klíma
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Smola
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Vavrina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Prague 2, 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Buděšínský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Dračínský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Liboska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Birkuš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic.
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic.
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Cai W, Jing M, Wen J, Guo H, Xue Z. Epigenetic Alterations of DNA Methylation and miRNA Contribution to Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:817552. [PMID: 35711943 PMCID: PMC9194831 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.817552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focused on the epigenetic alterations of DNA methylation and miRNAs for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) diagnosis and treatment using bioinformatics analyses. DNA methylation data and mRNA and miRNA expression microarray data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The differentially methylated genes (DMGs), differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and differentially expressed miRNAs were analyzed by using the limma package. The DAVID database performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Using STRING and Cytoscape, we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and achieved visualization. The online analysis tool CMap was used to identify potential small-molecule drugs for LUAD. In LUAD, 607 high miRNA-targeting downregulated genes and 925 low miRNA-targeting upregulated genes, as well as 284 hypermethylated low-expression genes and 315 hypomethylated high-expression genes, were obtained. They were mainly enriched in terms of pathways in cancer, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cAMP signaling pathway, and cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. In addition, 40 upregulated and 84 downregulated genes were regulated by both aberrant alternations of DNA methylation and miRNAs. Five small-molecule drugs were identified as a potential treatment for LUAD, and five hub genes (SLC2A1, PAX6, LEP, KLF4, and FGF10) were found in PPI, and two of them (SLC2A1 and KLF4) may be related to the prognosis of LUAD. In summary, our study identified a series of differentially expressed genes associated with epigenetic alterations of DNA methylation and miRNA in LUAD. Five small-molecule drugs and five hub genes may be promising drugs and targets for LUAD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhan Cai
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Jing
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Wen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Guo
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Garland KM, Sheehy TL, Wilson JT. Chemical and Biomolecular Strategies for STING Pathway Activation in Cancer Immunotherapy. Chem Rev 2022; 122:5977-6039. [PMID: 35107989 PMCID: PMC8994686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) cellular signaling pathway is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Activation of the intracellular STING protein triggers the production of a multifaceted array of immunostimulatory molecules, which, in the proper context, can drive dendritic cell maturation, antitumor macrophage polarization, T cell priming and activation, natural killer cell activation, vascular reprogramming, and/or cancer cell death, resulting in immune-mediated tumor elimination and generation of antitumor immune memory. Accordingly, there is a significant amount of ongoing preclinical and clinical research toward further understanding the role of the STING pathway in cancer immune surveillance as well as the development of modulators of the pathway as a strategy to stimulate antitumor immunity. Yet, the efficacy of STING pathway agonists is limited by many drug delivery and pharmacological challenges. Depending on the class of STING agonist and the desired administration route, these may include poor drug stability, immunocellular toxicity, immune-related adverse events, limited tumor or lymph node targeting and/or retention, low cellular uptake and intracellular delivery, and a complex dependence on the magnitude and kinetics of STING signaling. This review provides a concise summary of the STING pathway, highlighting recent biological developments, immunological consequences, and implications for drug delivery. This review also offers a critical analysis of an expanding arsenal of chemical strategies that are being employed to enhance the efficacy, safety, and/or clinical utility of STING pathway agonists and lastly draws attention to several opportunities for therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Garland
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37235 United States
| | - Taylor L Sheehy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37235 United States
| | - John T Wilson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37235 United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37235 United States
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232 United States
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232 United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232 United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232 United States
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6
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Wang Y, Cui S, Xin T, Wang X, Yu H, Chen S, Jiang Y, Gao X, Jiang Y, Guo X, Jia H, Zhu H. African Swine Fever Virus MGF360-14L Negatively Regulates Type I Interferon Signaling by Targeting IRF3. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:818969. [PMID: 35096660 PMCID: PMC8790226 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.818969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating infectious disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). The ASFV genome encodes multiple structural and non-structural proteins that contribute to evasion of host immunity. In this study, we determined that the viral non-structural protein MGF360-14L inhibits interferon-β (IFN-β) promoter activity induced by cGAS-STING signaling. MGF360-14L was also found to downregulate expression of the IRF3 protein and promote its degradation through ubiquitin-meditated proteolysis. Moreover, MGF360-14L was shown to interact with and destabilize IRF3 by facilitating E3 ligase TRIM21-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of IRF3. Overall, our study revealed that MGF360-14L promotes degradation of IRF3 through TRIM21, thereby inhibiting type I interferon production. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying ASFV immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Cui
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Xin
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xixi Wang
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Hainan Yu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yajun Jiang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xintao Gao
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Yitong Jiang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Jia
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongfei Zhu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Garland KM, Rosch JC, Carson CS, Wang-Bishop L, Hanna A, Sevimli S, Van Kaer C, Balko JM, Ascano M, Wilson JT. Pharmacological Activation of cGAS for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:753472. [PMID: 34899704 PMCID: PMC8662543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.753472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
When compartmentally mislocalized within cells, nucleic acids can be exceptionally immunostimulatory and can even trigger the immune-mediated elimination of cancer. Specifically, the accumulation of double-stranded DNA in the cytosol can efficiently promote antitumor immunity by activating the cGAMP synthase (cGAS) / stimulator of interferon genes (STING) cellular signaling pathway. Targeting this cytosolic DNA sensing pathway with interferon stimulatory DNA (ISD) is therefore an attractive immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. However, the therapeutic activity of ISD is limited by several drug delivery barriers, including susceptibility to deoxyribonuclease degradation, poor cellular uptake, and inefficient cytosolic delivery. Here, we describe the development of a nucleic acid immunotherapeutic, NanoISD, which overcomes critical delivery barriers that limit the activity of ISD and thereby promotes antitumor immunity through the pharmacological activation of cGAS at the forefront of the STING pathway. NanoISD is a nanoparticle formulation that has been engineered to confer deoxyribonuclease resistance, enhance cellular uptake, and promote endosomal escape of ISD into the cytosol, resulting in potent activation of the STING pathway via cGAS. NanoISD mediates the local production of proinflammatory cytokines via STING signaling. Accordingly, the intratumoral administration of NanoISD induces the infiltration of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes into murine tumors. The therapeutic efficacy of NanoISD is demonstrated in preclinical tumor models by attenuated tumor growth, prolonged survival, and an improved response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M. Garland
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jonah C. Rosch
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Carcia S. Carson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lihong Wang-Bishop
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ann Hanna
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sema Sevimli
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Casey Van Kaer
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Justin M. Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Manuel Ascano
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - John T. Wilson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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