The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease, remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the cGAS-STING pathway—a key innate immune signaling cascade—in driving AS progression. This pathway is activated by cytoplasmi...

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Main Authors: Si-yu Wang, Yu-shan Chen, Bo-yuan Jin, Ahmad Bilal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1550930/full
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author Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Yu-shan Chen
Yu-shan Chen
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
author_facet Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Yu-shan Chen
Yu-shan Chen
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
author_sort Si-yu Wang
collection DOAJ
description Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease, remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the cGAS-STING pathway—a key innate immune signaling cascade—in driving AS progression. This pathway is activated by cytoplasmic DNA from damaged cells, thereby triggering inflammation and accelerating plaque formation. While risk factors such as aging, obesity, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes are known to exacerbate AS, emerging evidence suggests that these factors may also enhance cGAS-STING pathway, which amplifies inflammatory responses. Targeting this pathway offers a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of the cGAS-STING pathway, explore its role in AS, and evaluate potential inhibitors as future therapeutic candidates. By integrating current knowledge, we aim to provide insights for developing novel treatments to mitigate AS and CVD burden.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
spelling doaj-art-74a6087dbfc642cfb7daf0d7c70ae9cf2025-08-20T03:31:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-04-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.15509301550930The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosisSi-yu Wang0Si-yu Wang1Si-yu Wang2Yu-shan Chen3Yu-shan Chen4Bo-yuan Jin5Bo-yuan Jin6Bo-yuan Jin7Ahmad Bilal8Ahmad Bilal9Ahmad Bilal10Heart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHeart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHeart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHeart Center/National Regional (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaAtherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease, remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the cGAS-STING pathway—a key innate immune signaling cascade—in driving AS progression. This pathway is activated by cytoplasmic DNA from damaged cells, thereby triggering inflammation and accelerating plaque formation. While risk factors such as aging, obesity, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes are known to exacerbate AS, emerging evidence suggests that these factors may also enhance cGAS-STING pathway, which amplifies inflammatory responses. Targeting this pathway offers a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of the cGAS-STING pathway, explore its role in AS, and evaluate potential inhibitors as future therapeutic candidates. By integrating current knowledge, we aim to provide insights for developing novel treatments to mitigate AS and CVD burden.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1550930/fullatherosclerosiscGAS-STING pathwayrisk factorstherapeutic potentialcGAS inhibitorsSTING inhibitors
spellingShingle Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Si-yu Wang
Yu-shan Chen
Yu-shan Chen
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Bo-yuan Jin
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
Ahmad Bilal
The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
atherosclerosis
cGAS-STING pathway
risk factors
therapeutic potential
cGAS inhibitors
STING inhibitors
title The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
title_full The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
title_fullStr The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
title_full_unstemmed The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
title_short The cGAS-STING pathway in atherosclerosis
title_sort cgas sting pathway in atherosclerosis
topic atherosclerosis
cGAS-STING pathway
risk factors
therapeutic potential
cGAS inhibitors
STING inhibitors
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1550930/full
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