Host cell fusion in bacteria infection alarms immune system, causing host cell destruction

(National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine) NUS Medicine researchers have identified a new trigger for our immune system--abnormal fusion of host cells to form giant cells after infection by pathogens such as the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Cell fusion triggered the cGAS-STING pathway, activating a type 1 interferon response which kills pathogens. In extensive cell fusion, cGAS-STING caused the giant cells to self-destruct instead. Since the DNA in the giant cells was damaged, self-destruction likely prevents these cells from becoming cancerous.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news