Cytoplasmic microbial and host aberrant DNAs act as danger signals and trigger host immune responses. Upon recognition, the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) catalyzes the production of a second messenger 2'3'-cGAMP, which activates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) and ultimately leads to the induction of type I IFNs and inflammatory genes that collectively initiate host immune defense against microbial invasion. Inappropriate activation or suppression of this signaling pathway has been implicated in the development of some autoimmune diseases, sterile inflammation, and cancers. In this review, we describe how the activity of cGAS and STING is regulated by host post-translational modifications and summarize the recent advances of cell-specific cGAS-STING activation and its association in sterile inflammatory diseases. We also discuss key outstanding questions in the field, including how our knowledge of cGAS-STING pathway could be translated into clinical applications.
Keyphrases
- endoplasmic reticulum
- oxidative stress
- immune response
- signaling pathway
- dendritic cells
- microbial community
- genome wide
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- cell therapy
- stem cells
- cystic fibrosis
- cell proliferation
- pi k akt
- gene expression
- transcription factor
- mesenchymal stem cells
- escherichia coli
- induced apoptosis
- breast cancer cells
- estrogen receptor
- candida albicans