The immune system must strike a delicate balance\u2014strong enough to attack infections and cancer, yet controlled enough to avoid damaging healthy tissues. A key regulator of this balance is a molecule called TGF-\u03b2, which can either suppress or activate immune responses depending on the context. In cancer, TGF-\u03b2 often promotes tumor growth and immune evasion, while in autoimmune diseases, it helps maintain tolerance and prevent inflammation. Because of its dual roles, targeting TGF-\u03b2 has proven challenging, and past attempts to block it broadly have failed in clinical trials. Dr. Qinli Sun\u2019s research takes a new approach: rather than blocking TGF-\u03b2, he is engineering precise, targeted versions of the molecule that can activate beneficial immune pathways while avoiding harmful side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building on this idea, Dr. Sun has created an innovative TGF-\u03b2 agonist platform that allows selective activation of TGF-\u03b2 signaling in specific immune cells. As a proof of concept, he engineered a combined IL-2\u2013TGF-\u03b2 agonist that induces regulatory T cells\u2014immune cells that calm inflammation and promote tolerance\u2014without affecting unrelated tissues. This engineered molecule effectively reduced airway inflammation in preclinical studies, demonstrating the potential of such \u201csmart\u201d cytokine therapies. Now, Dr. Sun is expanding this platform to design new agonists that could suppress autoimmunity or fine-tune immune responses to improve cancer immunotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Sun brings extensive expertise in T cell biology, cytokine signaling, and protein engineering. His work bridges fundamental immunology and translational medicine, aiming to turn complex immune regulators like TGF-\u03b2 into precise therapeutic tools. By reprogramming how immune cells interpret TGF-\u03b2 signals, his research could lead to safer, more effective treatments for autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K. Christopher Garcia, PhD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Therapeutic Development of Engineered TGF-\u03b2 Agonists for Autoimmunity and Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The immune system must strike a delicate balance\u2014strong enough to attack infections and cancer, yet controlled enough to avoid damaging healthy tissues. A key regulator of this balance is a molecule called […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":36821,"template":"","tax_cancer_type":[455],"tax_grant_type":[486],"tax_award_year":[742],"tax_institutions":[513],"tax_location_states":[501],"class_list":["post-36881","cri_scientists","type-cri_scientists","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"scientist_subhead":"CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellow","quote":"","scientist_last_name":"Sun","show_on_landing":true,"scientist_publish_until":"20281213"},"yoast_head":"\nProjects and Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n