Stimulator of interferon genes (STING): Key therapeutic targets in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Juan Lv; Xuanxuan Zhu; Chunlei Xing; Yuhong Chen; Huihui Bian; Heng Yin; Xiaofeng Gu; Li Su

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115458

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING): Key therapeutic targets in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Nov:167:115458. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115458. Epub 2023 Sep 10.

Authors

Juan Lv¹, Xuanxuan Zhu², Chunlei Xing³, Yuhong Chen³, Huihui Bian³, Heng Yin⁴, Xiaofeng Gu⁵, Li Su⁶

Affiliations

¹ Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214071, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
² Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214071, China.
³ Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
⁴ Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214071, China. Electronic address: wxzy011@njucm.edu.cn.
⁵ Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214071, China. Electronic address: guxf_wuxiph@163.com.
⁶ Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214071, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China. Electronic address: suli1020@shu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37699319
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115458

Abstract

The Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is predominantly expressed in immune cells, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and T cells, functioning as a pattern recognition receptor. STING activation upon detecting cytosolic DNA released from damaged cells initiates downstream pathways, leading to the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IFNs, IL-6, and TNF-α. Dysregulated STING activation has been implicated in inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) is common in stroke, acute myocardial infarction, organ transplantation, and surgeries for certain end-stage diseases. Recent studies suggest that STING could be a novel therapeutic target for I/RI treatment. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway's general functions and summarize STING's role in I/RI across various organs, including the heart, liver, kidney, and lung. Moreover, we explore potential therapeutic approaches for I/RI by targeting STING.

Keywords: Inflammation; Ischemia/Reperfusion; Oxidative stress; STING; STING inhibitors.

Publication types

Review