As Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) has emerged as a promising target for simultaneously targeting infectious and inflammatory diseases, UNIST has been consecutively selected for national research and development projects to accelerate the development of ZBP1 inhibitors.
Professor Sangjoon Lee and his research team from the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST have recently received support from the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF) for their research on developing therapeutics that utilize ZBP1 inhibitors to treat alcohol-associated liver disease.
ZBP1 is a protein that recognizes abnormal RNA or DNA within cells, triggering a potent immune response. While it plays a protective role during viral infections, excessive activation of ZBP1 can lead to cytokine storms and induce cell death, ultimately causing tissue damage. Recent studies warn that ZBP1 not only exacerbates viral diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza but also worsens alcohol-induced liver disease.
Professor Lee stated, “We plan to develop inhibitors that can regulate excessive inflammatory responses and cell death caused by ZBP1.” He further noted, “Using AI-based virtual screening, we will identify candidate compounds and validate their efficacy through cellular experiments and animal models.”
Previously, Professor Lee’s team has been recognized for their research on ZBP1 therapeutics through support from the Yuhan Corporation Innovation Project, the Innovative Science and Technology Centers and Programs by the Circle Foundation (formerly known as the Ahn Cheol-Soo Foundation), as well as grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH) Project, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Their findings on ZBP1 have been published in leading journals, such as Nature and Science Immunology, underscoring the significance of their research in therapeutic development.
