Profilin-1 Deficiency Activates Immune Response Against Breast Cancer in Preclinical Study
Researchers found that removing the Profilin-1 protein from breast cancer cells triggers DNA damage and activates an immune pathway called STING, which recruits cancer-fighting T cells and causes tumor regression in mice. The study used CRISPR gene-editing technology to deplete Profilin-1 and observed that the resulting genomic instability paradoxically strengthens anti-tumor immunity. The findings suggest targeting Profilin-1 could be a new strategy to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness in breast cancer.
A preprint study published on bioRxiv demonstrates that depleting Profilin-1 (Pfn1), an actin-binding protein, in breast cancer cells induces genomic instability including polyploidy, micronuclei, and DNA damage. This instability causes cytosolic DNA accumulation, which activates the cGAS-STING nucleic acid-sensing pathway and triggers a type-I interferon response. In immunocompetent mouse models, Pfn1-deficient tumors showed dramatically increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and significant tumor regression. The researchers confirmed that tumor control depended on an intact immune system and CD8+ T cells, as depleting these cells reversed the therapeutic effect. These findings suggest that Profilin-1 loss in tumor cells can be leveraged to enhance T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, potentially offering new therapeutic opportunities for breast cancer immunotherapy.
Limitations & open questions
The study was conducted in mouse models and has not yet been tested in human patients or clinical trials. The preprint has not undergone peer review at a traditional journal. Long-term safety and efficacy of Pfn1-targeting approaches in living organisms remain unknown. The study does not address potential off-target effects of CRISPR-based Pfn1 depletion or whether similar mechanisms would apply to other cancer types.
What different sources said
- bioRxivCenter
Profilin-1 Deficiency Activates STING to Drive T Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Immunity in Breast Cancer
Related
Study finds menstrual hormones influence brain blood vessel function, with implications for brain imaging
A new study of 20 menstruating women found that fluctuating ovarian hormones (estradiol and progesterone) across the menstrual cycle significantly affect how brain blood vessels respond to changes in carbon dioxide and neural activity. The research used advanced MRI techniques to measure cerebrovascular reactivity and blood flow at different cycle phases. These findings suggest that standard brain imaging studies may need to account for menstrual cycle stage when interpreting results, and could help explain some menstrual-related symptoms.
Study Finds Aesthetic Design of Neurofeedback Stimuli Triggers Rapid Implicit Brain Responses
A neurofeedback study examined how the visual design of feedback stimuli affects brain responses, finding that aesthetic evaluation occurs rapidly and automatically within 100-300 milliseconds. The research involved 38 participants and used ERP (event-related potential) measurements to assess implicit reactions to 16 differently designed feedback stimuli. The findings suggest that improving the aesthetic design of neurofeedback interfaces could enhance treatment efficacy and user engagement, potentially addressing why some patients don't respond to neurofeedback therapy.
Study Finds Serial Dependence in Time Perception Follows Precision-Weighted Updating Model
Researchers conducted two time reproduction experiments showing that how much people's time estimates are influenced by recent history depends on sensory uncertainty and contextual continuity. A Kalman filter model incorporating precision-weighted updating—where recent history is weighted by environmental reliability—best explained the observed patterns. The findings suggest a unified mechanism underlying serial dependence across different types of perceptual transitions.