UNC13D inhibits STING signaling by attenuating its oligomerization on the endoplasmic reticulum

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an essential signaling protein that is located on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and triggers the production of type I interferons (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines in response to pathogenic DNA. Aberrant activation of STING is linked to autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms underlying homeostatic regulation of STING are unclear. Here, we report that UNC13D, which is associated with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL3), is a negative regulator of the STING-mediated innate immune response. UNC13D colocalizes with STING on the ER and inhibits STING oligomerization. Cellular knockdown and knockout of UNC13D promote the production of interferon-β (IFN-β) induced by DNA viruses, but not RNA viruses. Moreover, UNC13D deficiency also increases the basal level of proinflammatory cytokines. These effects are diminished by an inhibitor of STING signaling. Furthermore, the domains involved in the UNC13D/STING interaction on both proteins are mapped. Our findings provide insight into the regulatory mechanism of STING, the previously unknown cellular function of UNC13D and the potential pathogenesis of FHL3.