The interplay between STING and metabolic reprogramming: From mechanisms to therapeutic strategies

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an intracellular sensor of cyclic dinucleotides involved in the innate immune response to pathogen- or self-derived DNA. Metabolic reprogramming regulates STING, and the interaction between STING and metabolism has been highlighted in recent studies. Given the strong association between STING-related metabolic dysregulation and the onset of diseases such as diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, summarizing the relationship between STING and metabolism and identifying potential therapeutic targets seem particularly crucial. This review focuses on the mutual regulation of STING and metabolism, summarizes the regulatory effects of STING on glucose and lipid metabolism, and highlights the potential therapeutic roles of STING agonists and inhibitors in various metabolism-related diseases. More importantly, STING activation or function is influenced by the products or key enzymes involved in these metabolic reactions. The mechanisms of these regulatory pathways have been elucidated, and novel therapeutic approaches that target metabolic regulation to modulate the STING response have been proposed, thereby enhancing its downstream immune responses and promoting improved anti-tumor and antiviral effects in the body.