Simultaneous activation of apoptosis and cGAS-STING pathway with a mitochondria-targeted dehydrocholic acid compound for enhanced hepatocellular carcinoma chemoimmunotherapy - 04/02/26
, Sizhe Zhu a, Xinyu Sun c, Guangxin Geng a, Jiawen Zhao a, Jiaqi Han a, Xiang Liu a, Wenbo Zhu a, b, Wenping Yang c, Qinhang Wu c, ⁎ 
Abstract |
The activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS-STING) pathway triggered by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) represents a highly promising strategy in tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we report a mitochondria-targeting small-molecule compound ( 3c ), which contains dehydrocholic acid and acts as an activator of the cGAS-STING pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Specifically, 3c could target the mitochondria of HepG2 cells, regulate mitochondrial function, generate a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), open the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and promote the release of mtDNA into the cytoplasm to further trigger the cGAS-STING pathway. Treatment of immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice bearing Hepa1–6 tumors with 3c activates their immune system, inducing an antitumor CD8⁺ T cell response and dendritic cell (DC) maturation; this process elicits a potent antitumor immune response by activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in HCC cells. Moreover, 3c can also induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells, which may be attributed to oxidative stress caused by elevated ROS levels. With the dual actions of cGAS-STING pathway activation and chemotherapy against HCC, 3c has great potential as an antitumor agent, and further serves as a preclinical proof-of-concept for chemoimmunotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, 3c is one of the few mitochondria-targeting small-molecule compounds that can induce an immunomodulatory response by activating the cGAS-STING pathway. Overall, we present a novel example of cGAS-STING pathway activation mediated by a mitochondria-targeted dehydrocholic acid-derived compound, which may provide an innovative strategy for designing chemoimmunotherapies for HCC.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
This work reports a mitochondria-targeted dehydrocholic acid derivative (compound 3c) with the dual capacity to activate the cGAS-STING pathway and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Compound 3c selectively disrupts mitochondrial function in HCC cells and elicits excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS not only directly triggers HCC cell apoptosis but also impairs mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), opens the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and facilitates mtDNA release into the cytoplasm—thereby potentiating cGAS-STING pathway activation. With the dual actions of cGAS-STING-mediated innate immune activation and apoptosis-mediated chemotherapeutic activity against HCC, compound 3c holds significant potential as an antitumor agent for HCC therapy.
This work reports a mitochondria-targeted dehydrocholic acid derivative (compound 3c) with the dual capacity to activate the cGAS-STING pathway and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Compound 3c selectively disrupts mitochondrial function in HCC cells and elicits excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS not only directly triggers HCC cell apoptosis but also impairs mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), opens the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and facilitates mtDNA release into the cytoplasm—thereby potentiating cGAS-STING pathway activation. With the dual actions of cGAS-STING-mediated innate immune activation and apoptosis-mediated chemotherapeutic activity against HCC, compound 3c holds significant potential as an antitumor agent for HCC therapy. Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.
Highlights |
• | Six new mitochondria-targeted bile acid derivatives were synthesized. |
• | The optimal compound 3c induced apoptosis in an ROS-dependent manner. |
• | 3c activated mtDNA-cGAS-STING signaling pathway axis. |
• | 3c showed potent antitumor activity in vivo . |
• | 3c activated the immune system for enhanced anticancer efficacy. |
Keywords : Hepatocellular carcinoma, Bile acid compounds, Mitochondrial DNA, CGAS-STING, Chemoimmunotherapy
Plan
Vol 195
Article 119044- février 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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