Sensors of Intracellular Nucleic Acids Activating STING-Dependent Production of Interferons in Immunocompetent Cells

Abstract

Currently, foreign DNA or RNA sensor proteins, which play an important role in innate immunity, are of great interest as a new avenue for cancer immunotherapy. Agonists of these proteins can activate signaling cascades in immune cells that cause the production of cytokines, in particular type I interferons, which have a powerful cytotoxic effect. This review examines the functioning of cytoplasmic nucleic acid sensors such as cGAS, STING, IFI16, AIM2, DAI, DDX41, DNA-PK, MRE-11, and TREX1 involved in activating the production of various cytokines.