Fig. 8: Graphical summary of the study. | Experimental & Molecular Medicine

Fig. 8: Graphical summary of the study.

From: Blockade of STING activation alleviates microglial dysfunction and a broad spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease pathologies

Fig. 8

a Aβ, tau, and the APOE ε4 allele affect the cGAS-STING pathway in microglia. Aβ and tau increase cytoplasmic DNA accumulation and upregulate cGAS. cGAMP produced from cGAS diffuses and activates STING in surrounding brain tissue. Activated STING triggers an inflammatory response followed by an interferon response through downstream TBK1, NF-κB, IRF3, and p-STAT1 effectors. Pharmacological STING inhibition ameliorates a broad range of AD pathologies, including neuroinflammation, Aβ burden, phospho-tau levels, microglial synapse engulfment, and memory impairment.

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