Protective and pathogenic: The Janus-faced role of cGAS-STING in the brain - PubMed
7 hours ago
- #cGAS-STING
- #brain-preconditioning
- #neuroinflammation
- The cGAS-STING pathway plays a dual role in the brain, offering protection during infection and injury but also contributing to neurodegeneration.
- Tilorone, an antiviral immunomodulator, activates HIF and shows neuroprotective effects before stroke, mediated by type I interferon signaling rather than HIF.
- While transient cGAS-STING activation enhances ischemic tolerance, sustained activation impairs neuronal plasticity and cognitive functions.
- The pathway enforces a metabolic austerity program, beneficial during ischemia but harmful when prolonged, reducing synaptic plasticity and cognitive resilience.
- Evidence from various models (stroke, neurodegeneration, aging, etc.) highlights the pathway's protective and pathological impacts, stressing the need for balance in immune defense and brain health.