Fig. 1: Activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway mediates the IVDD. | Cell Death Discovery

Fig. 1: Activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway mediates the IVDD.

From: Progress in understanding the role of cGAS-STING pathway associated with programmed cell death in intervertebral disc degeneration

Fig. 1

In degenerative discs, inflammation and cell death could liberate DNAs aberrantly. cGAS can identify the cytosolic DNA, transform ATP and GTP into the second messenger 2′,3′-cGAMP, and then bind to and enhance the activation of STING in the ER. After STING was transported to the Golgi apparatus, it could activate the downstream signaling pathway of TBK1-IRF3 and -NF-κB, and enhance the activity of IRF3 and NF-κB. With increased activity, IRF3 and NF-κB may enter the nucleus and play a role in elevating the expression of type-I IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively.

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