Mitochondrial DNA: a molecular switch driving sterile neuroinflammation

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of neuroinflammation, acting as a potent trigger of innate immune responses when released into the cytoplasm or extracellular space. mtDNA is structurally similar to bacterial DNA, containing unmethylated CpG motifs that are readily recognized by immune sensors. Under conditions of cellular stress, injury, or mitochondrial dysfunction, mtDNA can escape into the cytoplasm, where it activates the cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase)-STING