Our study reveals that STING activation in dendritic cells using cGAMP-VLP enhances CD8+ T cell recognition of live tumor cells by inducing type I interferon-dependent upregulation of MHC-I on tumor cells in vitro. In vivo, cGAMP-VLP boosts antitumor immunity even in cGAS-deficient tumors, thereby improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. These findings uncover a previously underappreciated axis between dendritic-cell STING signaling and tumor immunogenicity, with important implications for STING-targeted cancer immunotherapy.
ABSTRACT
The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is a key regulator of antitumor immunity. Activation of STING by the natural agonist 2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) induces type I interferon and promotes CD8+ T cell responses against tumors. However, how type I interferon modulates tumor cell recognition by T cells remains unclear. Here, using a co-culture model and virus-like particles encapsulating cGAMP (cGAMP-VLP), we show that STING activation in dendritic cells enhances CD8+ T cell recognition of live tumor cells through type I interferon signaling. This effect is independent of enhanced cross-presentation of soluble or tumor-associated antigens. Instead, type I interferon produced downstream of STING signaling drives MHC-I upregulation on tumor cells, which is required for T cell activation. In vivo, host STING activation with cGAMP-VLP improves the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade, particularly in tumors lacking cGAS. Together, these findings identify a transcellular mechanism whereby STING activation in dendritic cells increases tumor cell MHC-I expression to enhance CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor recognition.