The cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase - stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway recognizes cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), a sign of viral infection or cell damage.
Activation of the pathway stimulates immune cells to secrete type I interferons (IFNs) and various proinflammatory cytokines. These immunomodulatory proteins further induce multiple regulatory immune processes with antiviral or antitumoral properties.