MOLECULAR CELL
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2026
·Vol. 86
·期 6
·1099-1115
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IF 16
Yanyang Chen,Roshan Xavier Norman,Eléonore Toufektchan,Xiaohan Luan,Abraham Shim,Hannah Rosenberg,Marton Tibor Kovacs,Ashley Nichols,James Hickling,Paolo Cifani,Alex Kentsis,Wen Zhou,John Maciejowski
Micronuclei are membrane-encapsulated nuclear aberrations that form following chromosome segregation errors. Micronuclear membrane collapse permits access of the pattern recognition receptor cGAS and its antagonist, the TREX1 exonuclease. TREX1 endoplasmic reticulum tethering is essential for invasion into ruptured micronuclei, but the mechanisms underlying this dependency are unknown. Here, we identify BAF as a key regulator of TREX1 activity at micronuclei. BAF accumulates at micronuclei following membrane collapse and augments TREX1 recruitment via interactions with LEM-domain proteins. Despite delayed entry, TREX1 exhibits enhanced micronuclear DNA degradation and independence from ER-tethering in BAF-deficient cells. Recombinant BAF inhibits TREX1-mediated DNA degradation in vitro via DNA-binding. BAF similarly outcompetes cGAS for micronuclear DNA and limits cGAS-dependent immune signaling. These findings reveal a BAF-dependent protective barrier to the diffusive entry of DNA-binding proteins into ruptured micronuclei that explains TREX1 ER-tethering requirements for suppressing innate immune responses in chromosomally unstable cells.
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高影响因子
IMMUNITY
·
2026
·
IF 30.6
Jiali Zhu,Lei Wang,Changjie Lin,Shuchen Bian,Xiaohan Luan,Yingying Sui,Luhang Piao,Wen Zhou
TREX1, but not other DEDDh exonucleases, restrains cyclic GMP-AMP synthase- stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) activation by cytosolic DNA. Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying this specificity. Biochemical comparison of TREX1 and TREX2 mapped TREX1’s ability to degrade dsDNA and suppress cGAS signaling to a single amino acid, R128. Metazoan TREX proteins containing an R128-equivalent functioned as double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) nucleases, often alongside cGAS-like receptors, defining an evolutionarily conserved family. Structurally, TREX1-R128 contacted the non-substrate strand to enable efficient dsDNA binding and cleavage. Examination of conserved structural features of the R128-containing TREX family further identified a substrate-sensing loop that inserted into the active-site cleft and stabilized the substrate strand. In human TREX1, a distinct auxiliary DNA-binding surface (B-site) strengthened DNA engagement and cGAS restraint independent of DNase activity, suggesting a competitive function. Autoimmune-associated TREX1 mutations mapped to TREX1-dsDNA interfaces, and mutations disrupting these interactions increased cGAS-STING signaling and antitumor immunity in murine models. Thus, a modular dsDNA-recognition architecture defines TREX1 specificity and regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway.
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高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2024
·
IF 6.7
Sheng Zhang,Rongrong Huang,Junsong Jing,Xueping Wei,Yu Zhang,Youping Wu,Guoteng Ou,Jingjin Hu,Yueguo Wu,Yuanyuan Li,Shibo Ying,Zhenqiang You
ABSTRACT Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute respiratory disease characterized by bilateral chest radiolucency and severe hypoxemia. Quzhou Fructus Aurantii ethyl acetate extract (QFAEE), which is prepared from the traditional Chinese respiratory anti-inflammatory natural herb Quzhou Fructus Arantii, has the potential to alleviate ARDS. In this work, we aimed to investigate the potential and mechanism underlying the action of QFAEE on ARDS and how QFAEE modulates the STING pathway to reduce type I interferon release to alleviate the inflammatory response. Methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potential proinflammatory stimulant capable of causing pulmonary inflammation with edema after nasal drops, was employed to model ARDS in vitro and in vivo . Under QFAEE intervention, the mechanism of action of QFAEE to alleviate ARDS was explored in this study. TREX1 −/− mice were sued as a research model for the activation of the congenital STING signaling pathway. The effect of QFAEE on TREX1 −/− mice could explain the STING-targeted effect of QFAEE on alleviating the inflammatory response. Our explorations covered several techniques, Western blot, histological assays, immunofluorescence staining, transcriptomic assays and qRT-PCR to determine the potential mechanism of action of QFAEE in antagonizing the inflammatory response in the lungs, as well as the mechanism of action of QFAEE in targeting the STING signaling pathway to regulate the release of type I interferon. Results QFAEE effectively alleviates ARDS symptoms in LPS-induced ARDS. We revealed that the mechanism underlying LPS-induced ARDS is the STING-TBK1 signaling pathway and further elucidated the molecular mechanism of QFAEE in the prevention and treatment of ARDS. QFAEE reduced the release of type I interferons by inhibiting the STING-TBK1-IRF3 axis, thus alleviating LPS-induced pneumonia and lung cell death in mice. Another key finding is that activation of the STING pathway by activators or targeted knockdown of the TREX1 gene can also induce ARDS. As expected, QFAEE was found to be an effective protective agent in alleviating ARDS and the antagonistic effect of QFAEE on ARDS was achieved by inhibiting the STING signaling pathway. Conclusions The main anti-inflammatory effect of QFAEE was achieved by inhibiting the STING signaling pathway and reducing the release of type I interferons. According to this mechanism of effect, QFAEE can effectively alleviate ARDS and can be considered a potential therapeutic agent. In addition, the STING pathway plays an essential role in the development and progression of ARDS, and it is a potential target for ARDS therapy.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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呼吸医学
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分子生物学
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2023
·
IF 5.4
Xueping Wei,Junsong Jing,Rongrong Huang,Ting Zhou,Lianhao Wu,Guoteng Ou,Youping Wu,Jingjin Hu,Wenwen Zhu,Yueguo Wu,Yuanyuan Li,Sheng Zhang,Zhenqiang You
Ethnopharmacological relevance Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible lung disease that severely affects human respiratory function. Traditionally, the natural plant Quzhou Fructus Arantii (QFA) has therapeutic effects on respiratory diseases. However, the effects and the mechanism of anti-fibrotic have not been elucidated. Aim of the study In this study, QFAE-nB was extracted from QFA, the aims of this study include understanding the correlation between Bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF and STING pathway in mice, as well as exploring the role and mechanisms of QFAE-nB in the treatment of PF. Materials and methods QFAE-nB was extracted from QFA, six main chemical components in QFAE-nB were identified by HPLC–QTOF–MS/MS, and quantitative analysis was conducted by HPLC. qPCR and Western blot were used to verify the molecular mechanism of QFAE-nB, and the anti-fibrotic effect of QFAE-nB was determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining as well as immunohistochemistry. TREX1-KO and STING-KO mice were used to verify the relationship between STING and PF and the important target action of QFAE-nB. Results Six main flavonoids in QFAE-nB were identified as eriocitrin (0.76%), neoeriocitrin (2.79%), narirutin (4.31%), naringin (35.41%), hesperidin (1.74%), and neohesperidin (27.18%). The results showed that BLM-induced PF was associated with its exacerbated release of proinflammatory factors and chemokines in lung tissues. In addition, QFAE-nB alleviated BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the activation of the STING signaling pathway and reducing the signal transduction of TBK1–IRF3 and TBK1–NF-κB pathways. Notably, knockout of the TREX1 gene caused massive inflammation and even induced PF in the lung tissues, whereas QFAE-nB effectively alleviated inflammation and reduced PF. The deletion of the STING gene suppressed BLM-induced PF and inflammation, but STING-KO mice treated with QFAE-nB showed even lower expression levels of proinflammatory factors and chemokine. Conclusions The STING pathway plays an important role in PF, and QFAE-nB alleviates PF by mainly targeting the inhibition of the STING pathway to reduce inflammation. Together, the study paves the way for targeting the STING pathway in PF treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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民族药理学
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分子生物学
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免疫学
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高影响因子
Cell and Bioscience
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2023
·Vol. 13
·期 1
·1-10
·
IF 7.5
Yu Yu,Wang Miao,Li Xiao-Wei,Mao Jie,Zhu Ying-Jie,Wang Na,Yin Le-Hua,Guo Zeng-Lin,Cai Hong,Li Tao,Liang Ting-Ting,Cui Jiuwei,Zhou Tao
Background Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is critical for cytosolic DNA-sensing and the subsequent immune responses. The inappropriate activation of this pathway leads to DNA-induced autoimmune response. Understanding the precise regulation of cGAS-STING pathway is important for developing therapeutics to treat several autoimmune diseases caused by self-DNA.Results We report that Meloxicam (MXC) inhibits intracellular DNA-, but not RNA-induced immune responses. We find that MXC inhibits the phosphorylation of STING by examining in different cells with various DNA stimulations. We further find that MXC significantly dampens the expression levels of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) by using DNA 3’ repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1)-deficient cell, an experimental model for self-DNA-induced autoimmune disease. Importantly, we demonstrate that MXC could promote the survival in Trex1–/– mouse model for Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS).Conclusion sOur study identified a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, MXC, that exhibits potential effect in treating the autoimmunity caused by self-DNA.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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自身免疫疾病
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高影响因子
Science China-Life Sciences
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2024
·
IF 8
Zhang Yinghui,Liu Yadan,Jiang Bing,Chen Lifan,Hu Jie,Niu Buying,Chang Jie,Fan Zisheng,Zhou Jingyi,Wang Yajie,Teng Dan,Ma Ning,Wang Xiaofeng,Yang Ruirui,Zheng Mingyue,Zhang Sulin
The development of STING inhibitors for the treatment of STING-related inflammatory diseases continues to encounter significant challenges. The activation of STING is a multi-step process that includes binding with cGAMP, self-oligomerization, and translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, ultimately inducing the expression of IRF3 and NF-κB-mediated interferons and inflammatory cytokines. It has been demonstrated that disruption of any of these steps can effectively inhibit STING activation. Traditional structure-based drug screening methodologies generally focus on specific binding sites. In this study, a TransformerCPI model based on protein primary sequences and independent of binding sites is employed to identify compounds capable of binding to the STING protein. The natural product Licochalcone D (LicoD) is identified as a potent and selective STING inhibitor. LicoD does not bind to the classical ligand-binding pocket; instead, it covalently modifies the Cys148 residue of STING. This modification inhibits STING oligomerization, consequently suppressing the recruitment of TBK1 and the nuclear translocation of IRF3 and NF-κB. LicoD treatment ameliorates the inflammatory phenotype in Trex1 −1− mice and inhibits the progression of DSS-induced colitis and AOM/DSS-induced colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). In summary, this study reveals the potential of LicoD in treating STING-driven inflammatory diseases. It also demonstrates the utility of the TransformerCPI model in discovering allosteric compounds beyond the conventional binding pockets.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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炎症
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药物发现
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高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2023
·Vol. 33
·期 19
·2213465
·
IF 19
Huiyi Liang,Yibo Du,Lixin Liu,Junqiu Liu,Yongming Chen
Excessive self-DNAs recognized by intracellular DNA sensors can initiate innate immunity to express disordered TNF-α or type I IFN resulting in several autoimmune diseases. Cationic polymers have been profoundly proved to alleviate the inflammatory symptoms by removing the debris of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). However, clinical applications of cationic materials have been impeded by concerns of their toxicity and the fate of cfDNA in polymer-cfDNA complex. Herein, it is showed that PEGylated polyimidazoles as a biomimetic DNase potently alleviate pathologic symptoms of self-DNA-associated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats and Trex1 (DNase III) deficient Aicardi-Goutiéres syndrome (AGS) mice. The mechanism studies demonstrate that the polyimidazole efficiently attacks the phosphodiester linkages of NAs and cleavages them into small pieces. As imidazole unit is a much weaker organic base that occurs in natural proteins, the polyimidazoles are less toxic to cells and tissues, as manifested by the IC50 values larger than 1000 µg mL −1 . This work suggests that synthetic tailored DNase can be a new and safe therapeutic agent to treat chronic autoimmune and refractory inflammatory diseases by degradation of excessive nucleic acids.
研究领域:
免疫学
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生物医学工程
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分子生物学
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药理学
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高影响因子
Science Bulletin
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2025
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IF 21.1
Fangke Zhang,Jiancheng Zheng,Fei Wang,Yaping Zhuang,Yunkai Tang,Juan Wang,Yawei Du,Wei-Li Zhao,Min Lu,Weiguo Hu,Wenguo Cui
Mutations in cytoplasmic DNA-degrading enzymes can lead to the accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA (cytoDNA), which excessively activates DNA-sensing pathways and exacerbates inflammatory aging. Reducing cytoDNA levels to suppress DNA-sensing mechanisms is therefore critical for treating elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA). In this study, we constructed Trex1 mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) via microfluidics and prepared DNase I loaded polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles through oxidative polymerization. These two components were co-encapsulated into methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) microspheres using microfluidic photopolymerization. The LNPs incorporate cationic lipids to facilitate mRNA loading and promote endosomal escape, enabling efficient translation of TREX1 and subsequent recognition and degradation of cytoDNA. Meanwhile, cationic mesoporous polydopamine electrostatically adsorbs and degrades extracellular DNA. The microspheres function as a reservoir for sustained nanoparticle release, enabling synergistic inhibition of DNA sensing pathways. This microsphere based vaccine upregulates TREX1 expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and reduces cytoDNA levels, thereby suppressing overactivation of the cGAS-STING signaling axis and promoting immune tolerance. It also attenuates the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg subsets. In an aged rat model of rheumatoid arthritis, the vaccine alleviated soft tissue swelling, synovitis, and cartilage and bone damage. By clearing excess cytoDNA and restraining DNA-sensing hyperactivation, this vaccine induces cellular immune tolerance and represents a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly.
研究领域:
免疫学
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纳米医学
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分子生物学
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疫苗学
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风湿病学
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衰老研究
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基因治疗
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高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）