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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

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Published on: December 22, 2020

Emerging roles of the cGAS/STING pathway in cardiovascular diseases

Wataru Saitoh1, Yasutomi Higashikuni1,2,3,4, Oyunbileg Bavuu1

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|July 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular diseases involve inflammation, often triggered by the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of IFN genes (cGAS/STING) pathway. Targeting this pathway shows therapeutic potential for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular research
  • Immunology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading global cause of death.
  • Inflammation is a critical factor in CVD development.
  • The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of IFN genes (cGAS/STING) pathway is implicated in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of self-DNA and the cGAS/STING pathway in CVD pathophysiology.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the cGAS/STING pathway for CVD treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on the cGAS/STING pathway in cardiovascular contexts.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms by which self-DNA activates inflammatory signaling in CVD.

Main Results:

  • The cGAS/STING pathway recognizes self-DNA, activating downstream inflammatory signaling (TBK1, IRF3, NF-κB).
  • Circulating cell-free DNA serves as a biomarker for CVDs.
  • The precise contribution of self-DNA to CVD-related inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis requires further elucidation.

Conclusions:

  • The cGAS/STING pathway plays a significant role in the inflammatory basis of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Targeting the cGAS/STING pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing CVDs.

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