Zhijian J. Chen

Combining an autoactivated cGAS mutant with membrane-tethered IL-12 via mRNA lipid nanoparticles promotes systemic tumor control

This paper combines an autoactivated cGAS mutant with membrane-tethered IL-12 via mRNA LNPs to promote systemic tumor control in mouse models.

DancE: A DNA-Activated Bacterial cGAS-like Enzyme in Antiphage Immune Defense

The paper identifies DancE, a bacterial cGAS-like enzyme activated by DNA, and shows its regulation by DnaK and activation by lambda phage protease gpC.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus metabolically adapts while tempering the host immune response during host cell invasion.

This study identifies metabolic reprogramming and immune signaling modulation by Vibrio parahaemolyticus during host cell invasion and infection.

Regulation of STING activation by phosphoinositide and cholesterol

This study identifies phosphoinositides and cholesterol as regulators of STING activation by promoting its oligomerization and translocation.

Innate immune sensing via the cGAS-STING pathway restricts extrachromosomal DNA-driven tumorigenesis

This study shows that the cGAS-STING pathway suppresses ecDNA-driven tumorigenesis by detecting ecDNA fragments and restricting their formation.

PtdIns(3,5)P2 Is an Endogenous Ligand of STING in Innate Immune Signaling

This study identifies PtdIns(3,5)P2 as an endogenous ligand of STING that cooperates with cGAMP to activate innate immune signaling.

ecDNA-driven oncogene super-expressors shape immunoevasive tumor microenvironment

This study shows ecDNA-driven oncogene super-expressors create an immunoevasive tumor microenvironment in PDAC by promoting myCAF expansion and suppressing T cell infiltration.

KDM5 demethylases suppress R-loop-mediated viral mimicry and DNA damage in breast cancer cells

This study shows that KDM5 demethylases suppress R-loop formation in breast cancer cells, reducing DNA damage and enhancing immune-related gene expression without affecting normal cells.