New tool enhances visualization of immune responses in tumors

Researchers led by Sergio P. Acebrón from the University of the Basque Country have developed a new tool to visualize how the immune system responds to abnormal DNA. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for various diseases. The findings were published in the EMBO Journal. They explain why some tumors can avoid detection by the immune system and introduce a method to see these processes in complicated biological models. The researchers focused on a DNA detector called cGAS, which helps the immune system respond to infections and cancer. Acebrón and his team created a fluorescent biosensor by bioengineering this DNA detection process. This tool allows scientists to see how the immune response works when DNA is outside its usual compartments, like the nucleus. The researchers found that certain proteins help inform immune cells about abnormal DNA, which can come from infections or cell death. The study also revealed that when chromosomes are improperly segregated during tumor development, they do not trigger the immune response. This is important since many clinical trials have aimed to target these issues in cancer treatment. Overall, this research provides a valuable method for studying how our immune system reacts to different DNA types in complex models. This advancement is supported by various funding bodies, including the Ikerbasque Foundation and Heidelberg University.