The Complexity of the cGAS-STING Pathway in CNS Pathologies

Amelia L Fryer; Amar Abdullah; Juliet M Taylor; Peter J Crack

doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.621501

The Complexity of the cGAS-STING Pathway in CNS Pathologies

Front Neurosci. 2021 Feb 9:15:621501. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2021.621501. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Amelia L Fryer¹, Amar Abdullah¹, Juliet M Taylor¹, Peter J Crack¹

Affiliation

¹ Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation driven by type-I interferons in the CNS is well established to exacerbate the progression of many CNS pathologies both acute and chronic. The role of adaptor protein Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is increasingly appreciated to instigate type-I IFN-mediated neuroinflammation. As an upstream regulator of type-I IFNs, STING modulation presents a novel therapeutic opportunity to mediate inflammation in the CNS. This review will detail the current knowledge of protective and detrimental STING activity in acute and chronic CNS pathologies and the current therapeutic avenues being explored.

Keywords: STING; cGAS; central nervous system; interferon; neuroinflammation.

Publication types

Review