Stray self-nucleic acids: the emerging drivers of neurodegeneration

Brooke K McDonald; Pawat Laohamonthonkul; Chien-Hsiung Yu

doi:10.1016/j.tcb.2023.02.006

Stray self-nucleic acids: the emerging drivers of neurodegeneration

Trends Cell Biol. 2023 Jun;33(6):451-454. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.02.006. Epub 2023 Mar 10.

Authors

Brooke K McDonald¹, Pawat Laohamonthonkul¹, Chien-Hsiung Yu²

Affiliations

¹ Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
² Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: alan.yu@florey.edu.au.

PMID: 36907819
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.02.006

Abstract

Emergent evidence has shown that abnormal buildup of stray self-nucleic acids is a pathological feature observed across many neurodegenerative conditions. Here, we discuss how these self-nucleic acids act as a driver of disease by triggering harmful inflammatory responses. Understanding these pathways and targeting them has the potential to prevent neuronal death at the early stages of disease.

Keywords: aggregation; cell death; inflammation; innate immunity; neurodegeneration; nucleic acids.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Immunity, Innate
Inflammation / metabolism
Neurodegenerative Diseases*
Nucleic Acids* / metabolism

Substances

Nucleic Acids