Fig. 6: Model of exosomal dsDNA-mediated intestinal inflammation via activation of STING pathway in CD.
From: Extracellular vesicles package dsDNA to aggravate Crohn’s disease by activating the STING pathway

sEVs full of dsDNA, which could be secreted by damaged intestinal epithelial cells, were taken up by macrophages to activate the STING pathway and trigger inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines released by macrophages, such as IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-β, further damaged intestinal epithelial cells.