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Wang S, Qin L, Liu F, Zhang Z. Unveiling the crossroads of STING signaling pathway and metabolic reprogramming: the multifaceted role of the STING in the TME and new prospects in cancer therapies. Cell Commun Signal 2025; 23:171. [PMID: 40197235 PMCID: PMC11977922 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-025-02169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2025] [Accepted: 03/23/2025] [Indexed: 04/10/2025] Open
Abstract
The cGAS-STING signaling pathway serves as a critical link between DNA sensing and innate immunity, and has tremendous potential to improve anti-tumor immunity by generating type I interferons. However, STING agonists have shown decreasing biotherapeutic efficacy in clinical trials. Tumor metabolism, characterized by aberrant nutrient utilization and energy production, is a fundamental hallmark of tumorigenesis. And modulating metabolic pathways in tumor cells has been discovered as a therapeutic strategy for tumors. As research concerning STING progressed, emerging evidence highlights its role in metabolic reprogramming, independent its immune function, indicating metabolic targets as a strategy for STING activation in cancers. In this review, we delve into the interplay between STING and multiple metabolic pathways. We also synthesize current knowledge on the antitumor functions of STING, and the metabolic targets within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that could be exploited for STING activation. This review highlights the necessity for future research to dissect the complex metabolic interactions with STING in various cancer types, emphasizing the potential for personalized therapeutic strategies based on metabolic profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Wuhan, China
| | - Furong Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhanguo Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. cGLRs Join Their Cousins of Pattern Recognition Receptor Family to Regulate Immune Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1828. [PMID: 38339107 PMCID: PMC10855445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize danger signals such as PAMPs/MAMPs and DAMPs to initiate a protective immune response. TLRs, NLRs, CLRs, and RLRs are well-characterized PRRs of the host immune system. cGLRs have been recently identified as PRRs. In humans, the cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a part of cGLRs. cGAS recognizes cytosolic dsDNA as a PAMP or DAMP to initiate the STING-dependent immune response comprising type 1 IFN release, NF-κB activation, autophagy, and cellular senescence. The present article discusses the emergence of cGLRs as critical PRRs and how they regulate immune responses. We examined the role of cGAS/STING signaling, a well-studied cGLR system, in the activation of the immune system. The following sections discuss the role of cGAS/STING dysregulation in disease and how immune cross-talk with other PRRs maintains immune homeostasis. This understanding will lead to the design of better vaccines and immunotherapeutics for various diseases, including infections, autoimmunity, and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA;
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