Cytoplasmic mtDNA clearance suppresses inflammatory immune responses

• Published in: Trends in cell biology Vol. 34; no. 11; pp. 897 - 900
• Main Authors: Yan, Chenghao, Liu, Xu, Xu, Haodong, Wang, Liming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Autophagy; autophagy–lysosome pathway; cGAS–STING pathway; Cytoplasm - metabolism; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial - metabolism; Humans; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammation - pathology; Lysosomes - metabolism; Mitochondria - metabolism; mtDNA; cGAS–STING pathway; mtDNA; autophagy–lysosome pathway
• ISSN: 0962-8924; 1879-3088; 1879-3088
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.09.002

Upon various stresses, mtDNA leaks from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, leading to cellular dysfunction and inflammation, thereby exacerbating disease progression. The autophagy–lysosome pathway has emerged as a pivotal quality control mechanism for eliminating abnormal cytoplasmic mtDNA. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying mtDNA-triggered inflammation and how cytoplasmic mtDNA is eliminated. Upon various stresses, mtDNA leaks from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, leading to cellular dysfunction and inflammation, thereby exacerbating disease progression. The autophagy–lysosome pathway has emerged as a pivotal quality control mechanism for eliminating abnormal cytoplasmic mtDNA. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying mtDNA-triggered inflammation and how cytoplasmic mtDNA is eliminated.