Restoring Cell–Cell Communication to Elicit Bystander Effect Using a DNA‐Based Nanocomplex for Robust Immunotherapy

Y Yinuo Shu (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China) G Guoshi Xu (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China) M Minhao Jiang (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China) Y Yanjie Zhang Y Yinghua Peng (Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Changchun China) J Jiawei Zhu (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China) W Weiguang Chen (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin 130022 P.R. China) F Fang Pu (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China) J Jinsong Ren (Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization) X Xiaogang Qu (Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization)

Abstract

Abstract The activation of the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway has shown promise in enhancing antitumor immunity. However, the pathway involved de novo transcription and translation processes, which delays immune responses. Besides, the rapid clearance of the secondary messenger cyclic GMP‐AMP (cGAMP) by extracellular hydrolase limits its availability, attenuating STING signaling and resulting in insufficient therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we constructed a DNA‐based nanocomplex, which could restore cell‐cell communication to elicit bystander effect for enhancing cGAS‐STING responses. By virtue of its capabilities to promote gap junctional intercellular communication for cGAMP transfer and to trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells through bioorthogonal reaction‐catalyzed drug synthesis, the cGAS‐STING pathway in tumor cells was activated and amplified in a transcription‐independent, horizontal manner. The nanocomplex presented safe and robust antitumor effects against not only primary tumors but also distant and metastatic tumors via abscopal effects. The work highlighted the effects of restoring cell–cell communication on cGAS‐STING activation and provided a new perspective for antitumor immunotherapy.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 27
Published July 01, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

Y

Yinuo Shu

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China

G

Guoshi Xu

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China

M

Minhao Jiang

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China

Y

Yanjie Zhang

Y

Yinghua Peng

Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Changchun China

J

Jiawei Zhu

Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China

W

Weiguang Chen

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin 130022 P.R. China

F

Fang Pu

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin People's Republic of China

J

Jinsong Ren

Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization

X

Xiaogang Qu

Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization