Emerging role of the cGAS-STING pathway in cardiovascular diseases: biologic function, mechanisms and targeted therapy.

Currently, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a substantial threat to human health and wellness. Accumulating evidence has increasingly highlighted the pivotal role of the DNA-activated cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING) pathway in the progression of CVDs. The enhanced type I interferon response and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators disrupt cellular redox balance and trigger various cell death modalities, potentially leading to the emergence of adverse events such as atherosclerosis. Importantly, pharmacological or genetic suppression of the cGAS-STING axis has shown promise in alleviating cardiac injury symptoms. Moderate activation of STING can elicit effective immune responses against myocardial virus infection. This review elucidates the biochemical properties of cGAS and STING, as well as the mechanistic insights into the cGAS-STING pathway within the cardiovascular system, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of cGAS-STING modulators for CVD management.