cGAS-STING Pathway in Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases

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Background

The innate immune system has a critical role in the recognition and response to extracellular and intracellular pathogens. Pattern recognition receptors including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) are responsible for recognizing these pathogens. cGAS recognizes abnormal cytoplasmic DNA, activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway and leading to an immune response produced by type I interferon and other immune mediators. STING is expressed in macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and lymphocytes, as well as endothelial and epithelial cells.

Various studies have identified the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in host protection against viral and bacterial infections. The role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in protecting against bacterial infections is more complex and diverse due to the host effects of type I IFN being dependent on the specific bacterium and mechanism of infection. In addition, the activation of the cGAS-STING signal pathway in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) has been noted to promote the recruitment, maturation, activation, and differentiation of T lymphocytes, mediating the bridging of innate and adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated the cGAS-STING signal pathway as a critical modulator of hematopoiesis. With macrophages and T lymphocytes being representative cells of innate immunity and adaptive immunity; their polarization or differentiation are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of hematopoietic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation-related diseases and may be candidate therapeutic targets.

In this Research Topic, we aim to provide an update on the function and regulation of the cGAS-STING signal pathway in various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Furthermore, we will welcome submissions that present the cGAS-STING signal pathway as a potential immunotherapeutic target of various infectious and non-infectious diseases, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Opinion, and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:

• Function and regulation of the cGAS-STING signal pathway in the bridging of innate and adaptive immune responses
• Function and regulation of the cGAS-STING signal pathway in various infectious diseases
• Function and regulation of the cGAS-STING signal pathway in various non-infectious diseases, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• The cGAS-STING signal pathway as a critical modulator of hematopoiesis
• The cGAS-STING signal pathway as a potential immunotherapeutic target
• The roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in COVID-19 pathogenesis and long-COVID.
• The roles of cGAS-like sensors in bacterial anti-phage functions
• Intracellular trafficking of cGAS-STING

Keywords: Immunology, Innate Immunity, STING, cGAS, cGAS-STING, DNA sensing, molecular immunology, infection, infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmunity, hematopoiesis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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