Facile induction of immune tolerance by an interleukin-2–TGFβ surrogate agonist - Nature A fusion protein designed to comprise IL-2 and a helminth-derived TGFβ mimic activates IL-2 and TGFβ signalling pathways in IL-2 receptor-expressing T cells and induces stable antigen-specif...

Huge congratulations to lead author Qinli Sun on this fantastic work in @nature.com! An IL-2–TGFβ surrogate agonist from the Garcia Lab induces antigen-specific peripheral Tregs and promote immune tolerance in models of ashtma, gut inflammation, and EAE: doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Treatment with an IL-2–TGFβ ‘surrogate’ co-agonist quelled immune activation in mouse models of allergen-induced allergic inflammation and self-antigen-driven autoimmune neuroinflammation @stanforduniversity.bsky.social @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Deeply grateful to my co-authors and collaborators who made this possible — especially co-first author Yang Zhao and our PI Chris!

Trikines recruit a third receptor chain to reshape signaling logic at the cell surface.

This enables therapeutic modulation of endogenous immunity in vivo — no gene editing or ex vivo cell engineering required.

Full paper: t.co/UCixfysaUl

The IL-10/2-Trikine couples immunoregulatory and effector signaling to generate a distinct transcriptional program in T cells.

In melanoma, SCLC, and PDAC, tumor models, this translated into improved anti-tumor activity compared to the parent cytokines.

Our IL-2/21 Trikine rebalances STAT signaling to promote durable T cell states without the systemic toxicity typically associated with IL-2 therapy.

In vivo, it was well tolerated while maintaining immune activation. Ex vivo, it generated less exhausted TILs from patients.

Thrilled to share the primary focus of my PhD thesis work, now out in @science.org today!

We developed Trikines — engineered cytokines that reconfigure receptor complex assembly to reshape signaling directly in endogenous immune cells.

t.co/UCixfysaUl

Redirecting immune signaling with cytokine adaptors Nature Communications - Cytokines are immune signaling molecules that are frequently dysregulated in disease. Here, the authors create engineered cytokine ‘adaptors,’ molecular switches...

Excited to share this work from the Garcia Lab out today in @naturecomms.bsky.social! We engineer "cytokine adaptors", molecular immune switches that simultaneously block a target cytokine while inducing local activation of alternative cytokine receptors. rdcu.be/ec7GS

Parker Institute Awards $525,000 to Advance Diverse Talent in Cancer Research - Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Donor-powered initiative fuels next generation of scientific innovators, expands equity in cancer research  The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), a collaborative consortium of the worl...

I am honored to be named a RISE Scholar by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, joining a community of incredible and ambitious researchers transforming cancer immunotherapy! www.parkerici.org/the-latest/p...

Promiscuous Janus kinase binding to cytokine receptors modulates signaling efficiencies and contributes to cytokine pleiotropy Competition among JAKs for receptor binding may underlie cell type–specific differences in cytokine signaling.

Competition among JAKs for receptor binding may underlie cell type–specific differences in cytokine signaling
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Last month, I successfully defended my PhD in Immunology at Stanford! I am beyond grateful to my family, friends, colleagues, Stanford Immunology, and advisor, Chris Garcia, for their support in reaching this milestone.