Induction of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes by neuronal STING promotes the resolution of pain in mice

J Clin Invest. 2024 Mar 19;134(9):e176474. doi: 10.1172/JCI176474.

Abstract

Inflammation and pain are intertwined responses to injury, infection, or chronic diseases. While acute inflammation is essential in determining pain resolution and opioid analgesia, maladaptive processes occurring during resolution can lead to the transition to chronic pain. Here we found that inflammation activates the cytosolic DNA-sensing protein stimulator of IFN genes (STING) in dorsal root ganglion nociceptors. Neuronal activation of STING promotes signaling through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and triggers an IFN-β response that mediates pain resolution. Notably, we found that mice expressing a nociceptor-specific gain-of-function mutation in STING exhibited an IFN gene signature that reduced nociceptor excitability and inflammatory hyperalgesia through a KChIP1-Kv4.3 regulation. Our findings reveal a role of IFN-regulated genes and KChIP1 downstream of STING in the resolution of inflammatory pain.

Keywords: Inflammation; Innate immunity; Ion channels; Neuroscience; Pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interferon-beta / genetics
  • Interferon-beta / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins* / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nociceptors* / metabolism
  • Pain / genetics
  • Pain / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Tbk1 protein, mouse
  • Interferon-beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases