Abstract

In addition to their role in cellular metabolism, mitochondria regulate a range of biological processes such as cell death and inflammation. Mitochondrial DNA (mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA) is the genome of the mitochondria themselves, and when leaked from stressed mitochondria into the cytosol, is able to activate the cyclized GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes STING innate immune signaling pathway, leading to the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines. These products are capable of not only resisting invasion by pathogenic microorganisms but also leading to the development of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we review the role of mtDNA in the activation of the cGAS-STING innate immune signaling pathway.

Keywords:mtDNA; Innate immune; cGAS-STING signaling pathway