Connexin-Dependent Transfer of cGAMP to Phagocytes Modulates Antiviral Responses
Geneviève Pépin, Dominic De Nardo, Christina L. Rootes, Tomalika R. Ullah, Sumaiah S. Al-Asmari, Katherine R. Balka, Hongmei Li, Kylie M. Quinn, Fiona Moghaddas, Stéphane Chappaz, Benjamin T. Kile, Eric F. Morand, Seth L. Masters, Cameron R. Stewart, Bryan R.G. Williams, Michael P. Gantier
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that extracellular cGAMP can be taken up by macrophages to engage STING through several mechanisms. Our work demonstrates that connexin-dependent communication between epithelial cells and macrophages plays a significant role in the amplification of antiviral responses mediated by cGAMP and suggests that pharmacological strategies aimed at modulating connexins may have therapeutic applications to control antiviral responses in humans.