Putative role of STING-mitochondria associated membrane crosstalk in immunity

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has emerged as a key regulator of innate immunity, recognizing intracellular exogenous and endogenous DNA. Recent findings reveal that STING has multiple cell-specific immune functions in various pathological settings, including pathogenic infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Here, we hypothesize that this unique location of STING in the mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) might lead to the specificity of the cellular functions of STING mediated by mitochondria-ER communication. This new insight suggests that STING on the MAM might act as a hub that translates multiple cues on MAM into distinct cellular responses. This innovative view of STING biology might impart insights for future putative treatments in cancer and immune diseases that have been attributed to STING dysfunction.