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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Daryl Shanley
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Aging is the consequence of a lifelong accumulation of stochastic damage to tissues and cellular components. Advancing age closely associates with elevated markers of innate immunity and low-grade chronic inflammation, probably reflecting steady increasing incidents of cellular and tissue damage over the life course. The DNA sensing cGAS-STING signaling pathway is activated by misplaced cytosolic self-DNA, which then initiates the innate immune responses. Here, we hypothesize that the stochastic release of various forms of DNA from the nucleus and mitochondria, e.g., because of DNA damage, altered nucleus integrity, and mitochondrial damage, can result in chronic activation of inflammatory responses that characterize the aging process. This cytosolic self-DNA-innate immunity axis may perturb tissue homeostasis and function that characterizes human aging and age-associated pathology. Proper techniques and experimental models are available to investigate this axis to develop therapeutic interventions.
Author(s): Akbari M, Shanley DP, Bohr VA, Rasmussen LJ
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cells
Year: 2021
Volume: 10
Issue: 12
Print publication date: 01/12/2021
Online publication date: 15/12/2021
Acceptance date: 09/12/2021
ISSN (electronic): 2073-4409
Publisher: MDPI
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123544
DOI: 10.3390/cells10123544
