cGAS-STING信号通路在自身免疫性疾病中的研究进展

存在于细胞质中的游离DNA可被机体固有免疫系统识别清除,但其具体机制尚不明确。近年来越来越多的研究发现,环鸟苷酸-腺苷酸合成酶(cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase, cGAS)-干扰素基因刺激蛋白(stimulator of interferon gene, STING)通路参与固有免疫并发挥重要的免疫调控作用。cGAS-STING信号通路参与胞内微生物和自身胞质中异常核酸的识别。该综述阐述cGAS-STING信号通路介导自身免疫性疾病发生发展的相关研究,旨在为自身免疫性疾病的防治寻找有效的靶点。     

cGAS-STING信号通路和疾病

在宿主抵抗病毒感染和细菌入侵的过程中,cGAS-STING通路发挥着重要作用.在这一过程中胞质游离DNA作为危险信号被DNA感受器环GMP-AMP合酶(cGAS)所识别.cGAS可识别双链DNA,催化三磷酸腺苷(ATP)和三磷酸鸟苷(GTP)合成非经典环二核苷酸2'5'-cGAMP.其下游的干扰素刺激基因(STING)作为衔接分子,既可直接识别细菌产生的第二信使——环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)和环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP),也可作为信号受体,识别cGAS感受胞质DNA产生的cGAMP;随后激活下游信号,促进Ⅰ型干扰素和其他细胞因子的产生,从而产生相应的免疫应答.不仅外源细菌或病毒DNA,自身胞质DNA的异常沉积也会激活该通路,从而导致自身炎症和自身免疫疾病.后续研究发现,这一通路在肿瘤放射治疗和化学治疗中同样发挥重要作用,通过激活cGAS-STING通路产生或增强对肿瘤的治疗.研究结果表明,特异性干扰cGAS-STING通路的激活可能对肿瘤、感染、免疫疾病的治疗提供依据.对cGAS-STING通路激活机制及其与疾病治疗的关系作了全面概述,并对cGAS-STING通路的调节作了详细介绍.     

内质网应激激活STING信号通路并降低胰岛β细胞活力

目的：鉴定胰岛β细胞中干扰素基因刺激因子（STING）信号通路相关基因的表达及其与内质网应激的相互作用,研究2个通路间的相互作用对胰岛β细胞活力的影响。方法：通过生物信息学分析来源于人的胰岛单细胞RNA测序数据集,得到STING信号通路相关基因在胰岛β细胞中的表达变化;用免疫荧光法检测并比较野生型小鼠和db/db糖尿病小鼠胰岛β细胞中STING蛋白的表达差异;用STING特异性激动剂5,6-二甲基呫吨酮-4-乙酸（DMXAA）处理3种常用的小鼠胰岛β细胞系（NIT-1、Min6及beta-TC-6）,并通过RT-qPCR和Western blot分别检测其STING信号通路相关蛋白的mRNA和蛋白表达水平变化;用毒胡萝卜素（TG）诱导上述β细胞系内质网应激,通过Western blot检测STING信号通路相关蛋白的表达及磷酸化水平,并通过CCK-8法检测胰岛β细胞活力。结果：人胰岛β细胞中存在STING信号通路主要基因mRNA的表达,但在健康人群和糖尿病患者的表达水平无显著差异。免疫荧光结果表明,野生型小鼠和db/db小鼠胰岛β细胞的STING蛋白均在细胞核周边富集,且在db/db小...     

RNA病毒逃避天然免疫机制的研究新进展北大核心CSCD

病毒感染后通过信号转导引发机体免疫反应。环鸟苷酸-腺苷酸合成酶(c GAS)识别病毒DNA,与干扰素基因刺激蛋白(STING)相互作用,介导产生1型干扰素(IFN1)。维甲酸诱导基因1(RIG-1)受体识别病毒RNA,通过线粒体抗病毒信号蛋白(MAVS)引发RIG-1信号通路,激活IFN1。STING不仅可以作为DNA病毒信号通路蛋白,还可与MAVS相互作用,参与RNA病毒信号通路。然而,登革病毒、丙型肝炎病毒等RNA病毒的蛋白酶通过与STING相互作用逃逸免疫系统监视,抑制IFN产生。本文对STING与MAVS的相互作用机制,以及RNA病毒通过STING逃逸免疫系统监视进行综述,以期为研究病毒逃逸天然免疫调节机制提供新思路。     

RNA病毒逃避天然免疫机制的研究新进展

病毒感染后通过信号转导引发机体免疫反应。环鸟苷酸-腺苷酸合成酶(c GAS)识别病毒DNA,与干扰素基因刺激蛋白(STING)相互作用,介导产生1型干扰素(IFN1)。维甲酸诱导基因1(RIG-1)受体识别病毒RNA,通过线粒体抗病毒信号蛋白(MAVS)引发RIG-1信号通路,激活IFN1。STING不仅可以作为DNA病毒信号通路蛋白,还可与MAVS相互作用,参与RNA病毒信号通路。然而,登革病毒、丙型肝炎病毒等RNA病毒的蛋白酶通过与STING相互作用逃逸免疫系统监视,抑制IFN产生。本文对STING与MAVS的相互作用机制,以及RNA病毒通过STING逃逸免疫系统监视进行综述,以期为研究病毒逃逸天然免疫调节机制提供新思路。     

干扰素基因刺激蛋白功能调控机制的研究进展

Ⅰ型干扰素(interferon,IFN-I)在固有免疫抗病毒中发挥着关键作用,其产生与环状GMP-AMP合成酶(cyclic GMP-AMP synthase,cGAS)-干扰素基因刺激蛋白(stimulator of interferon gene,STING)信号通路对胞质内非我DNA的识别以及对下游激酶TBK1和干扰素调节因子3(interferon regulatory factor 3,IRF3)的活化密不可分。STING作为此条信号通路的核心部分,其本身的修饰和稳定性对机体能否正确有效地产生免疫应答至关重要。STING本身的功能调控机制主要分为3种:一是通过泛素化修饰促进或抑制STING信号通路;二是通过磷酸化调节STING信号通路活化的持续时间和强度;三是对STING-TBK1复合体稳定性的调节。STING功能调控机制的认识为病毒性疾病和炎症性疾病的治疗提供了新的途径。     

接头蛋白STING介导信号通路在抗病毒感染中的研究进展

干扰素基因刺激蛋白(stimulator of interferon gene,STING)是一种介导胞内DNA诱导固有免疫应答的重要接头蛋白,在机体抗病毒免疫反应中起关键作用。宿主细胞通过模式识别受体(pattern recognition receptor,PRR)识别入侵病原体的DNA,将信号传递给STING,导致TANK连接激酶1(TANK-binding kinase 1,TBK1)和干扰素调控因子3(interferon regulatory factor 3,IRF3)磷酸化,从而促进Ⅰ型IFN的上调表达,进而抑制病毒复制。文章介绍了STING分子的结构、转导通路以及分子调控机制,重点概述STING介导的信号通路在抗病毒感染中的作用以及病毒对该信号通路的调控机制,以期为抗病毒药物的研究提供新的靶点和思路。     

去甲斑蝥素通过调控miR-182-5p 抑制卵巢癌细胞增殖和侵袭

目的:研究去甲斑蝥素(ND)对卵巢癌细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响及分子机制。方法:CCK-8和Transwell检测不同浓度的ND给药后SKOV3细胞增殖和侵袭能力变化;qRT-PCR和Western blot检测给药前后LKB1/AMPK信号通路蛋白和上皮间充质转化(EMT)相关蛋白表达;加入LKB1/AMPK通路激动剂GSK621后,CCK-8和Transwell分别检测SKOV3细胞增殖和侵袭能力变化;qRT-PCR和Western blot检测给药前后EMT相关蛋白和LKB1/AMPK信号通路蛋白变化;si-miR-182-5p转染SKOV3细胞后CCK-8和Transwell检测miR-182-5p对SKOV3细胞增殖和侵袭能力影响;qRT-PCR和Western blot检测转染前后LKB1/AMPK信号通路蛋白和EMT相关蛋白表达。结果:30μmol/L ND对SKOV3细胞增殖抑制效果最明显;ND显著抑制SKOV3细胞侵袭同时显著激活LKB/AMPK信号通路和EMT。加入GSK621可以部分消除ND对SKOV3细胞增殖和侵袭影响,ND抑制miR-182-5p表达而激活LKB1/AMPK磷酸化和EMT。结论:ND可能通过抑制miR-182-5p阻滞LKB1/AMPK信号通路和EMT发生抑制卵巢癌细胞增殖和侵袭。     

cGAS-STING信号通路与代谢性疾病的研究进展

cGAS-STING信号通路是检测细胞内DNA的主要途径之一,病毒、 细菌和自体DNA都可通过cGAS-STING信号通路激活免疫系统.其中自体DNA通过cGAS-STING信号通路与非酒精性脂肪肝、脂肪组织炎症、胰岛素抵抗、糖代谢异常等代谢性疾病的发生相关.文章结合近年cGAS-STING信号通路与代谢性疾病的相关研...     

AMPK/mTOR信号通路介导的自噬在血根碱抑制鼻咽癌细胞增殖中的作用研究北大核心CSCD

目的:研究血根碱(SAN)对人鼻咽癌5-8F细胞自噬和增殖的影响,并探讨5-8F细胞自噬与增殖的关系及作用机制。方法:MTT和实时无标记细胞分析技术(RTCA)检测细胞增殖;单丹磺酰戊二胺(MDC)染色和透射电镜观察自噬情况;Western blot检测蛋白表达。结果:与Control组相比,SAN可显著抑制鼻咽癌细胞增殖,降低PCNA表达,诱导自噬小体形成,降低P62表达,提高Beclin-1表达、LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ;而抑制自噬后(3-MA预处理),SAN诱导自噬和抑制细胞增殖作用显著减弱,同时,SAN对Beclin-1、LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ、p62、PCNA的影响改变;SAN可激活AMPK/mTOR信号通路关键蛋白AMPK、p-AMPK并抑制mTOR表达;而抑制AMPK/mTOR信号通路后(抑制剂Compound C预处理),SAN诱导自噬和抑制细胞增殖作用显著减弱。结论:SAN能够抑制人鼻咽癌5-8F细胞增殖并诱导自噬,可能通过诱导细胞自噬抑制细胞增殖,其机制可能与激活AMPK/mTOR信号通路有关。     

Emerging role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in autoimmune diseases: Biologic function,mechanisms and clinical prospection

The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) signaling pathway, as vital component of innate immune system, acts a vital role in distinguishing invasive pathogens and cytosolic DNA. Cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS first binds to cytosolic DNA and catalyzes synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), which is known as the second messenger. Next, cGAMP activates the adaptor protein STING, triggering a molecular chain reaction to stimulate cytokines including interferons (IFNs). Recently, many researches have revealed that the regulatory role of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in autoimmune diseases (AIDs) such as Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Aicardi Goutières syndrome (AGS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Moreover, accumulated evidence have showed inhibition of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway could remarkably suppress the joint swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration in RA mice. Therefore, in this review, we describe the molecular properties, biologic function and mechanisms of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in AIDs. In addition, potential clinical applications especially selective small molecule inhibitors targeting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway are also discussed.     

UNC93B1 curbs cytosolic DNA signaling by promoting STING degradation

UNC93B1 is a trafficking chaperone of endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and plays an essential role in the TLR-mediated innate signaling. However, whether it is also involved in other innate immune sensing or cellular pathways remains largely unexplored. Here we investigated the role of UNC93B1 in cytosolic DNA-triggered cGAS-STING signaling in mouse and human cell lines. We showed that while UNC93B1 deficiency blunts the signal transduction by TLR3, it augments innate immune responses to cytosolic DNA stimulation and DNA virus infection. Mechanistic study reveals a distinct action of UNC93B1 upon STING, but not other parts along the cGAS-STING-TBK1 axis, through regulating the protein level of STING at both resting and cytosolic DNA-stimulated conditions. UNC93B1 can directly interact and traffic along with STING, and the disruption of this interaction causes accumulation of STING that subsequently leads to augmented signaling responses upon its activation. These findings reveal a new function of UNC93B1 in negatively regulating STING-mediated signaling responses.     

OTUD5 promotes innate antiviral and antitumor immunity through deubiquitinating and stabilizing STING

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adaptor protein that is critical for effective innate antiviral and antitumor immunity. The activity of STING is heavily regulated by protein ubiquitination, which is fine-tuned by both E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Here, we report that the deubiquitinase OTUD5 interacts with STING, cleaves its K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, and promotes its stability. Consistently, knockout of OTUD5 resulted in faster turnover of STING and subsequently impaired type I IFN signaling following cytosolic DNA stimulation. More importantly, Lyz2-Cre Otud5^fl/Y mice and CD11-Cre Otud5^fl/Y mice showed more susceptibility to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection and faster development of melanomas than their corresponding control littermates, indicating that OTUD5 is indispensable for STING-mediated antiviral and antitumor immunity. Our data suggest that OTUD5 is a novel checkpoint in the cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA sensing pathway.     

DNA virus oncoprotein HPV18 E7 selectively antagonizes cGAS-STING-triggered innate immune activation

Cellular infections by DNA viruses trigger innate immune responses mediated by DNA sensors. The cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signaling pathway has been identified as a DNA-sensing pathway that activates interferons in response to viral infection and, thus, mediates host defense against viruses. Previous studies have identified oncogenes E7 and E1A of the DNA tumor viruses, human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) and adenovirus, respectively, as inhibitors of the cGAS-STING pathway. However, the function of STING in infected cells and the mechanism by which HPV18 E7 antagonizes STING-induced Interferon beta production remain unknown. We report that HPV18 E7 selectively antagonizes STING-triggered nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation but not IRF3 activation. HPV18 E7 binds to STING in a region critical for NF-κB activation and blocks the nuclear accumulation of p65. Moreover, E7 inhibition of STING-triggered NF-κB activation is related to HPV pathogenicity but not E7–Rb binding. HPV18 E7, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 open reading frame 3a, human immunodeficiency virus-2 viral protein X, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus KSHV viral interferon regulatory factor 1 selectively inhibited STING-triggered NF-κB or IRF3 activation, suggesting a convergent evolution among these viruses toward antagonizing host innate immunity. Collectively, selective suppression of the cGAS-STING pathway by viral proteins is likely to be a key pathogenic determinant, making it a promising target for treating oncogenic virus-induced tumor diseases.     

Polyvalent design in the cGAS-STING pathway

Polyvalent interactions mediate the formation of higher-order macromolecular assemblies to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and temporal response of biological signals. In host defense, innate immune pathways recognize danger signals to alert host of insult or foreign invasion, while limiting aberrant activation from auto-immunity and cellular senescence. Of recent attention are the unique higher-order assemblies in the cGAS-STING pathway. Natural stimulation of cGAS enzymes by dsDNA induces phase separation and enzymatic activation for switchlike production of cGAMP. Subsequent binding of cGAMP to STING induces oligomerization of STING molecules, offering a scaffold for kinase assembly and signaling transduction. Additionally, the discovery of PC7A, a synthetic polymer which activates STING through a non-canonical biomolecular condensation, illustrates the engineering design of agonists by polyvalency principles. Herein, we discuss a mechanistic and functional comparison of natural and synthetic agonists to advance our understanding in STING signaling and highlight the principles of polyvalency in innate immune activation. The combination of exogenous cGAMP along with synthetic PC7A stimulation of STING offers a synergistic strategy in spatiotemporal orchestration of the immune milieu for a safe and effective immunotherapy against cancer.     

Human B cells fail to secrete type I interferons upon cytoplasmic DNA exposure

Most cells are believed to be capable of producing type I interferons (IFN I) as part of an innate immune response against, for instance, viral infections. In macrophages, IFN I is potently induced upon cytoplasmic exposure to foreign nucleic acids. Infection of these cells with herpesviruses leads to triggering of the DNA sensors interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS). Thereby, the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and the downstream molecules TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) are sequentially activated culminating in IFN I secretion.Human gamma-herpesviruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), exploit B cells as a reservoir for persistent infection. In this study, we investigated whether human B cells, similar to macrophages, engage the cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathway to induce an innate immune response. We found that the B cells fail to secrete IFN I upon cytoplasmic DNA exposure, although they express the DNA sensors cGAS and IFI16 and the signaling components TBK1 and IRF3. In primary human B lymphocytes and EBV-negative B cell lines, this deficiency is explained by a lack of detectable levels of the central adaptor protein STING. In contrast, EBV-transformed B cell lines did express STING, yet both these lines as well as STING-reconstituted EBV-negative B cells did not produce IFN I upon dsDNA or cGAMP stimulation. Our combined data show that the cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathway is dysfunctional in human B cells. This exemplifies that certain cell types cannot induce IFN I in response to cytoplasmic DNA exposure providing a potential niche for viral persistence.     

The emerging role of stimulator of interferons genes signaling in sepsis: Inflammation,autophagy, and cell death

Stimulator of interferons genes (STING) is an adaptor protein that plays a critical role in the secretion of type I interferons and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to cytosolic nucleic acid. Recent research indicates the involvement of the STING pathway in uncontrolled inflammation, sepsis, and shock. STING signaling is significantly up‐regulated in human sepsis, and STING agonists are suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of sepsis and shock. Nevertheless, little is known about the consequences of activated STING‐mediated signaling during sepsis. It has been shown that aberrant activation of the STING‐dependent way can result in increased inflammation, type I interferons responses, and cell death (including apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis). In addition, autophagy modulation has been demonstrated to protect against multiple organs injuries in animal sepsis model. However, impaired autophagy may contribute to the aberrant activation of STING signaling, leading to uncontrolled inflammation and cell death. Here we present a comprehensive review of recent advances in the understanding of STING signaling, focusing on the regulatory mechanisms and the roles of this pathway in sepsis.     

DNA sensing and associated type 1 interferon signaling contributes to progression of radiation-induced liver injury

Liver damage upon exposure to ionizing radiation (IR), whether accidental or therapeutic, can contribute to liver dysfunction. Currently, radiotherapy (RT) is used for various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the treatment dose is limited by radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) with a high mortality rate. Furthermore, the precise molecular mechanisms of RILD remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated RILD pathogenesis using various knockout mouse strains subjected to whole-liver irradiation. We found that hepatocytes released a large quantity of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) after irradiation. The cGAS-STING pathway in non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) was promptly activated by this dsDNA, causing interferon (IFN)-I production and release and concomitant hepatocyte damage. Genetic and pharmacological ablation of the IFN-I signaling pathway protected against RILD. Moreover, clinically irradiated human peri-HCC liver tissues exhibited substantially higher STING and IFNβ expression than non-irradiated tissues. Increased serum IFNβ concentrations post-radiation were associated with RILD development in patients. These results delineate cGAS-STING induced type 1 interferon release in NPCs as a key mediator of IR-induced liver damage and described a mechanism of innate-immunity-driven pathology, linking cGAS-STING activation with amplification of initial radiation-induced liver injury.     

STING pathway agonism as a cancer therapeutic

The fact that a subset of human cancers showed evidence for a spontaneous adaptive immune response as reflected by the T cell‐inflamed tumor microenvironment phenotype led to the search for candidate innate immune pathways that might be driving such endogenous responses. Preclinical studies indicated a major role for the host STING pathway, a cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, as a proximal event required for optimal type I interferon production, dendritic cell activation, and priming of CD8⁺ T cells against tumor‐associated antigens. STING agonists are therefore being developed as a novel cancer therapeutic, and a greater understanding of STING pathway regulation is leading to a broadened list of candidate immune regulatory targets. Early phase clinical trials of intratumoral STING agonists are already showing promise, alone and in combination with checkpoint blockade. Further advancement will derive from a deeper understanding of STING pathway biology as well as mechanisms of response vs resistance in individual cancer patients.     

利拉鲁肽通过激活CAMKK2/AMPK通路促进骨骼肌FNDC5的表达

目的:探讨利拉鲁肽(LG)对骨骼肌细胞Ⅲ型纤连蛋白结构域包含蛋白5(fibronectin typeⅢdomain-containing protein 5,FNDC5)表达水平的影响并探讨其机制。方法:小鼠成肌细胞系C2C12经诱导分化后,给予梯度浓度(1~1 000 nmol/L)LG处理不同时间(0~24 h),观察LG对FNDC5表达及磷酸化腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase,AMPK)信号通路活性的影响,以及应用胰高血糖素样肽1(glucagon-like peptide-1,GLP-1)受体拮抗剂exendin_(9-39)、钙/钙调素依赖的蛋白激酶激酶2(Ca~(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2,CAMKK2)的抑制剂STO609或AMPK的抑制剂Compound C预处理C2C12肌管细胞,观察FNDC5蛋白表达的改变。AMPK的活性及FNDC5的表达用Western blot法检测。结果:LG能够促进C2C12骨骼肌细胞FNDC5的蛋白表达,并具有剂量及时间依赖性,同时激活AMPK。LG的上述作用可被exendin_(9-39)、STO609或Compound C阻断。结论:利拉鲁肽可促进C2C12小鼠骨骼肌细胞合成FNDC5,此作用依赖于GLP-1受体,可能是通过激活CAMKK2/AMPK信号通路实现的。