biostudies-literatureLuo WNIEHS NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHSNCI NIH HHSNIH HHS42-66https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6939474biostudies-literatureUnknown141(1)<h4>Background</h4>Sporadic aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), caused by progressive aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) loss and extracellular matrix degradation, is a highly lethal condition. Identifying mechanisms that drive aortic degeneration is a crucial step in developing an effective pharmacologic treatment to prevent disease progression. Recent evidence has indicated that cytosolic DNA and abnormal activation of the cytosolic DNA sensing adaptor STING (stimulator of interferon genes) play a critical role in vascular inflammation and destruction. Here, we examined the involvement of this mechanism in aortic degeneration and sporadic AAD formation.<h4>Methods</h4>The presence of cytosolic DNA in aortic cells and activation of the STING pathway were examined in aortic tissues from patCirculationCritical Role of Cytosolic DNA and Its Sensing Adaptor STING in Aortic Degeneration, Dissection, and Rupture.PMC6939474P30 CA016672R01 HL118462R01 HL131980S10 OD025240S10 OD018033R01 HL127111P30 ES030285R01 HL130193R01 HL123346R01 HL143359S10 OD023469P30 CA125123Azares ARCoarfa CAbe JIRajapakshe KZhang MZhang LShen YHStarosolski ZACoselli JSFujiwara KLi YGuo JMilewicz DMLuo WRen PLeMaire SAWang YZhang CGhaghada KBChen RfalseCritical Role of Cytosolic DNA and Its Sensing Adaptor STING in Aortic Degeneration, Dissection, and Rupture.<h4>Background</h4>Sporadic aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), caused by progressive aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) loss and extracellular matrix degradation, is a highly lethal condition. Identifying mechanisms that drive aortic degeneration is a crucial step in developing an effective pharmacologic treatment to prevent disease progression. Recent evidence has indicated that cytosolic DNA and abnormal activation of the cytosolic DNA sensing adaptor STING (stimulator of interferon genes) play a critical role in vascular inflammation and destruction. Here, we examined the involvement of this mechanism in aortic degeneration and sporadic AAD formation.<h4>Methods</h4>The presence of cytosolic DNA in aortic cells and activation of the STING pathway were examined in aortic tissues from pat2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jan2025-04-22T10:34:49.639Z2021-02-20T19:14:20ZS-EPMC69394743188708010.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.04146010.1161/circulationaha.119.041460