Interferon gene stimulator protein (STING) is an intracellular DNA sensor that plays a crucial role in innate immunity by inducing the type I interferon signaling pathway to promote the clearance of pathogens and damaged host cells.In mammalian cells, this DNA sensing mechanism is mainly mediated by the cGAS-STING signaling pathway (cGAS is cyclic GMP-AMP synthase). The cGAS-STING signaling pathway is critical for inducing inflammation in infection, cellular stress, and tissue damage environments.Activated STING transmits signals that ultimately induce the production of type I interferons and other inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Additionally, the STING signaling pathway is associated with processes like autophagy, cell apoptosis, and necrosis.The STING Reporter THP1 Cell Line uses THP1 cells as a tool, where stable cell lines expressing reporter genes are established through lentiviral infection. Upon interferon activation, the endogenous interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) transcription factor binds to DNA response elements, inducing the transcription of a luciferase reporter gene. Apart from interferons, bacteria invading the body typically secrete cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), which have also been shown to directly bind to STING.
