BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in humans is usually asymptomatic but ultimately results in viral persistence. In immunocompromised hosts, virus reactivation can lead to nephropathy or hemorrhagic cystitis. The urinary tract serves as a silent reservoir for the virus. Recently, it has been demonstrated that human bladder microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) serve as viral reservoirs, given their unique response to infection, which involves interferon (IFN) production. The aim of the present study was to better understand the life cycle of BKPyV in HBMVECs, uncover the molecular pathway leading to IFN production, and to identify the connection between the viral life cycle and the activation of the IFN response. Here, in the early stage of infection, BKPyV virions were found in internalized monopinocytic vesicles, while later they were detected in late endosomes, lysosomes, tubuloreticular structures, and vacuole-like vesicles. The production of viral progeny in these cells started at 36 h postinfection. Increased cell membrane permeability and peaks of virion release coincided with the leakage of viral and cellular DNA into the cytosol at approximately 60 h postinfection. Leaked DNA colocalized with and activated cGAS, leading to the activation of STING and the consequent transcription of IFNB and IFN-related genes; in contrast, the IFN response was attenuated by exposure to the cGAS inhibitor, G140. These findings highlight the importance of the cGAS-STING pathway in the innate immune response of HBMVECs to BKPyV.

• Klíčová slova
• BK polyomavirus, BKPyV reservoir cells, STING, cGAS, interferon response,
• MeSH
• endoteliální buňky * virologie   MeSH
• interferony metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• močový měchýř * virologie   MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• polyomavirové infekce virologie   imunologie   MeSH
• replikace viru MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• virion MeSH
• virus BK * fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cGAS protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferony MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• STING1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

To explore the mechanism whereby cGAS-STING pathway regulates the pyroptosis of cryptorchidism cells, with a view to finding a new strategy for clinically treating cryptorchidism-induced infertility. Spermatogonial GC-1 cells were heat stimulated to simulate the heat hurt microenvironment of cryptorchidism. The cell viability was assayed by CCK-8, and cellular DNA damage was detected by gamma-H2AX immunofluo-rescence assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess pyroptosis index, while western blot, ELISA and PCR were used to examine the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins (Caspase-1, IL-1beta, NLRP3) and cGAS-STING pathway proteins (cGAS, STING). After STING silencing by siRNA, the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins were determined. Pyroptosis occurred after heat stimulation of cells. Morphological detection found cell swelling and karyopyknosis. According to the gamma-H2AX immunofluorescence (IFA) assay, the endonuclear green fluorescence was significantly enhanced, the gamma-H2AX content markedly increased, and the endonuclear DNA was damaged. Flow cytometry revealed a significant increase in pyroptosis index. Western blot and PCR assays showed that the expressions of intracellular pyrogenic proteins like Caspase-1, NLRP3 and GSDMD were elevated. The increased STING protein and gene expressions in cGAS-STING pathway suggested that the pathway was intracellularly activated. Silencing STING protein in cGAS-STING pathway led to significantly inhibited pyroptosis. These results indicate that cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in heat stress-induced pyroptosis of spermatogonial cells. After heat stimulation of spermatogonial GC-1 cells, pyroptosis was induced and cGAS-STING pathway was activated. This study can further enrich and improve the molecular mechanism of cryptorchidism.

• MeSH
• acetáty * MeSH
• chromogranin A MeSH
• fenoly * MeSH
• kaspasa 1 MeSH
• kryptorchismus * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• protein NLRP3 MeSH
• pyroptóza MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• spermatogonie MeSH
• úpal * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetáty * MeSH
• chromogranin A MeSH
• fenoly * MeSH
• GC 1 compound MeSH Prohlížeč
• kaspasa 1 MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• protein NLRP3 MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The TLR3/cGAS-STING-IFN signaling has recently been reported to be disturbed in colorectal cancer due to deregulated expression of the genes involved. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of potential regulatory variants in these genes on the risk of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Czech cohort of 1424 CRC patients and 1114 healthy controls. METHODS: The variants in the TLR3, CGAS, TMEM173, IKBKE, and TBK1 genes were selected using various online bioinformatic tools, such as UCSC browser, HaploReg, Regulome DB, Gtex Portal, SIFT, PolyPhen2, and miRNA prediction tools. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex detected a nominal association between CRC risk and three variants, CGAS rs72960018 (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.11-2.53, P-value = .01), CGAS rs9352000 (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.07-3.84, P-value = .03) and TMEM173 rs13153461 (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.03-2.27, P-value = .03). Their cumulative effect revealed a threefold increased CRC risk in carriers of 5-6 risk alleles compared to those with 0-2 risk alleles. Epistatic interactions between these genes and the previously genotyped IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IFNA, IFNB, IFNK, IFNW, IRF3, and IRF7 genes, were computed to test their effect on CRC risk. Overall, we obtained nine pair-wise interactions within and between the CGAS, TMEM173, IKBKE, and TBK1 genes. Two of them remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Additional 52 interactions were observed when IFN variants were added to the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that epistatic interactions and a high number of risk alleles may play an important role in CRC carcinogenesis, offering novel biological understanding for the CRC management.

• Klíčová slova
• CRC, interaction, polygenic-risk-score, risk,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• genetická epistáze * MeSH
• genotypizační techniky MeSH
• interferony genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• karcinogeneze genetika   MeSH
• kinasa I-kappa B genetika   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• kolon diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• kolonoskopie MeSH
• kolorektální nádory diagnóza   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny genetika   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy genetika   MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy genetika   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů * MeSH
• rektum diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• signální transdukce genetika   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• toll-like receptor 3 genetika   MeSH
• výpočetní biologie MeSH
• zdraví dobrovolníci pro lékařské studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cGAS protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• IKBKE protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferony MeSH
• kinasa I-kappa B MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy MeSH
• STING1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• TBK1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• TLR3 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• toll-like receptor 3 MeSH

The cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) pathway plays a crucial role in inducing an antiviral and antitumor immune response. We studied the effects of synthetic STING agonists on several immune populations and related cytokine production. In comparison with the toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist, STING agonists induced secretion of a broader proinflammatory cytokine spectrum. Unlike the TLR7 agonist, the structurally diverse STING agonists partially depleted B and NK cells and completely depleted CD14+ monocytes via induction of apoptosis. The TANK-binding kinase 1 inhibitor efficiently prevented interferon alpha (IFNα) secretion and cell depletion, suggesting their possible dependence on the cGAS-STING pathway activation. Finally, IFNα, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1 beta secretion and CD14+ monocyte apoptosis were primary responses to STING agonists, whereas IFNγ was secreted secondarily. These findings bring new insights into the cGAS-STING pathway immunomodulation that is of future therapeutic importance.

• Klíčová slova
• STING, apoptosis, cGAS-STING pathway, interferons, monocytes, proinflammatory cytokines,
• MeSH
• apoptóza MeSH
• cytokiny metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové proteiny genetika   MeSH
• monocyty * metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokiny MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH

As one of the most common mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) can contaminate a wide range of crops and foods. Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is a kind of immunosuppressive virus, which can cause porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVD) in pig farms infected with PCV2. Pigs are extremely sensitive to DON, and PCV2-infected pig farms are often contaminated with DON. Our previous studies indicated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 (B10) has the potential to alleviate the toxicity of mycotoxins. The research was aimed at investigating the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 on the immunosuppressive effects caused by both DON and PCV2 infection. The results indicated that the expression of the PCV2 capsid protein CAP was significantly decreased after pretreatment with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10. Then, the effects of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 pretreatment on the type I interferon, antiviral protein and the antiviral signal pathway cGAS-STING was further investigated. The findings displayed that the expression of the type I interferon and antiviral protein were increased, while the IL-10 were decreased after pretreatment with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10. The inhibition of DON on the cGAS-STING signal pathway was relieved. Furthermore, it was found that this intervention effect was produced by inhibiting autophagy. In summary, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 can mitigate the immunosuppressive effects of PCV2 and DON by inhibiting the production of autophagy.

• Klíčová slova
• Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10, autophagy, cGAS–STING, deoxynivalenol, porcine circovirus type 2,
• MeSH
• antivirové látky MeSH
• Bacillus amyloliquefaciens * MeSH
• Circovirus * MeSH
• interferon typ I * MeSH
• mykotoxiny * MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• trichotheceny * MeSH
• zemědělské plodiny MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antivirové látky MeSH
• deoxynivalenol MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferon typ I * MeSH
• mykotoxiny * MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• trichotheceny * MeSH

Sensing of cytoplasmic DNA by cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) results in production of the dinucleotide cGAMP and consecutive activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) followed by production of type I interferon (IFN). Although cancer cells contain supra-normal concentrations of cytoplasmic DNA, they rarely produce type I IFN spontaneously. This suggests that defects in the DNA-sensing pathway may serve as an immune escape mechanism. We find that cancer cells produce cGAMP that is transferred via gap junctions to tumor-associated dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, which respond by producing type I IFN in situ. Cancer-cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS, but not STING, promotes infiltration by effector CD8+ T cells and consequently results in prolonged survival. Furthermore, cGAS-expressing cancers respond better to genotoxic treatments and immunotherapy. Thus, cancer-cell-derived cGAMP is crucial to protective anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity. Consequently, cancer-cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS determines tumor immunogenicity and makes tumors hot. These findings are relevant for genotoxic and immune therapies for cancer.

• Klíčová slova
• CD8(+) T cells, STING, cGAMP, cGAS, cancer, chemotherapy, gap junctions, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, type I IFN,
• MeSH
• CD8-pozitivní T-lymfocyty imunologie   MeSH
• dendritické buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• imunoterapie MeSH
• interferon typ I metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice genetika   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory farmakoterapie   imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• nukleotidy cyklické metabolismus   MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy metabolismus   MeSH
• poškození DNA MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cGAS protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• cGAS protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate MeSH Prohlížeč
• interferon typ I MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidy cyklické MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH
• Sting1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč

DNA virus infections are often lifelong and can cause serious diseases in their hosts. Their recognition by the sensors of the innate immune system represents the front line of host defence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity responses is an important prerequisite for the design of effective antivirotics. This review focuses on the present state of knowledge surrounding the mechanisms of viral DNA genome sensing and the main induced pathways of innate immunity responses. The studies that have been performed to date indicate that herpesviruses, adenoviruses, and polyomaviruses are sensed by various DNA sensors. In non-immune cells, STING pathways have been shown to be activated by cGAS, IFI16, DDX41, or DNA-PK. The activation of TLR9 has mainly been described in pDCs and in other immune cells. Importantly, studies on herpesviruses have unveiled novel participants (BRCA1, H2B, or DNA-PK) in the IFI16 sensing pathway. Polyomavirus studies have revealed that, in addition to viral DNA, micronuclei are released into the cytosol due to genotoxic stress. Papillomaviruses, HBV, and HIV have been shown to evade DNA sensing by sophisticated intracellular trafficking, unique cell tropism, and viral or cellular protein actions that prevent or block DNA sensing. Further research is required to fully understand the interplay between viruses and DNA sensors.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA sensing, DNA viruses, IFI16, IFN, STING, TLR9, cGAS, inflammasome, innate immunity, p204/Ifi-204,
• MeSH
• DNA virů metabolismus   MeSH
• Herpesviridae * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• infekce DNA virem * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Polyomavirus * genetika   MeSH
• přirozená imunita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA virů MeSH

Aging is generally regarded as an irreversible process, and its intricate relationship with the immune system has garnered significant attention due to its profound implications for the health and well-being of the aging population. As people age, a multitude of alterations occur within the immune system, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. In the realm of innate immunity, aging brings about changes in the number and function of various immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. Additionally, certain immune pathways, like the cGAS-STING, become activated. These alterations can potentially result in telomere damage, the disruption of cytokine signaling, and impaired recognition of pathogens. The adaptive immune system, too, undergoes a myriad of changes as age advances. These include shifts in the number, frequency, subtype, and function of T cells and B cells. Furthermore, the human gut microbiota undergoes dynamic changes as a part of the aging process. Notably, the interplay between immune changes and gut microbiota highlights the gut's role in modulating immune responses and maintaining immune homeostasis. The gut microbiota of centenarians exhibits characteristics akin to those found in young individuals, setting it apart from the microbiota observed in typical elderly individuals. This review delves into the current understanding of how aging impacts the immune system and suggests potential strategies for reversing aging through interventions in immune factors.

• Klíčová slova
• adaptive immunity, aging, cGAS-STING, gut microbiota, gut microbiota aging, innate immunity,
• MeSH
• adaptivní imunita * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• přirozená imunita * MeSH
• stárnutí * imunologie   MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra * imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adaptor protein of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway involved in the sensing of cytosolic DNA. It functions as a receptor for cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) and, upon their binding, mediates cytokine expression and host immunity. Besides naturally occurring CDNs, various synthetic CDNs, such as ADU-S100, have been reported to effectively activate STING and are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Here, we describe the preparation of a unique new class of STING agonists: isonucleotidic cyclic dinucleotides and the synthesis of their prodrugs. The presented CDNs stimulate STING with comparable efficiency to ADU-S100, whereas their prodrugs demonstrate activity up to four orders of magnitude better due to the improved cellular uptake. The compounds are very potent inducers of inflammatory cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We also report the X-ray crystal structure of the lead inhibitor bound to the wild-type (WT) STING.

• Klíčová slova
• STING agonists, cancer, cyclic dinucleotides, cytokines, isonucleosides, prodrugs,
• MeSH
• cytosol metabolismus   MeSH
• leukocyty mononukleární metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové proteiny chemie   MeSH
• nukleotidy cyklické * metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• prekurzory léčiv * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• nukleotidy cyklické * MeSH
• prekurzory léčiv * MeSH

The cGAS-STING pathway is a crucial part of innate immunity; it serves to detect DNA in the cytoplasm and to defend against certain cancers, viruses, and bacteria. We designed and synthesized fluorinated carbocyclic cGAMP analogs, MD1203 and MD1202D (MDs), to enhance their stability and their affinity for STING. These compounds demonstrated exceptional activity against STING. Despite their distinct chemical modifications relative to the canonical cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), crystallographic analysis revealed a binding mode with STING that was consistent with the canonical CDNs. Importantly, MDs were resistant to cleavage by viral poxin nucleases and MDs-bound poxin adopted an unliganded-like conformation. Moreover, MDs complexed with poxin showed a conformation distinct from cGAMP bound to poxin, closely resembling their conformation when bound to STING. In conclusion, the development of MD1203 and MD1202D showcases their potential as potent STING activators with remarkable stability against poxin-mediated degradation-a crucial characteristic for future development of antivirals.

• Klíčová slova
• STING, antiviral response, cGAMP, cyclic dinucleotides, poxin,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory * MeSH
• nukleotidy cyklické * chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy chemie   MeSH
• přirozená imunita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate MeSH Prohlížeč
• nukleotidy cyklické * MeSH
• nukleotidyltransferasy MeSH