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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Genetically-encoded Molecular Probes to Study G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: September 13, 2013
2',4'-LNA-Functionalized 5'-S-Phosphorothioester CDNs as STING Agonists.
Simpa K Yeboah1,2, Abdulai Zigli1,2, Herman O Sintim1,2,3
1Department of Chemistry, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907-2084.
New locked nucleic acid-functionalized cyclic dinucleotides (LNA endo-S-CDNs) show potential as immunotherapeutics. These compounds activate the cGAS-STING pathway and exhibit enhanced chemical and enzymatic stability for cancer vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) activate the cGAS-STING pathway, crucial for innate and adaptive immunity.
- CDN analogs are explored as cancer vaccines and immunomodulators, but face limitations due to chemical and enzymatic instability.
- Previous work introduced phosphorothioate analogs with improved stability against phosphodiesterases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate locked nucleic acid-functionalized (LNA) endo-S-CDNs as STING agonists.
- To assess the stability and immune-activating potential of these novel CDN analogs.
- To investigate their efficacy in activating STING, particularly in cell lines with diminished responses.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of LNA-functionalized endo-S-CDNs.
- Activation assays of the human STING (hSTING) pathway in THP1 monocytes.
- Evaluation of chemical stability against oxidants (I2, H2O2) and enzymatic stability against phosphodiesterases.
Main Results:
- Some synthesized LNA 3'3'-endo-S-CDNs moderately activated hSTING (REF haplotype R232H).
- This activation was observed in a cell line with reduced responsiveness to standard STING agonists like 2'3'-cGAMP and ADU-S100.
- One potent endo-S-CDN analog demonstrated significant chemical and phosphodiesterase stability.
Conclusions:
- LNA endo-S-CDNs represent a promising class of STING agonists with enhanced stability.
- These novel compounds may overcome limitations of existing CDNs, offering potential for improved immunotherapeutics.
- Further research into LNA endo-S-CDNs could advance cancer vaccine and immunotherapy development.
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