The complex role of AIM2 in autoimmune diseases and cancers

Herein, we provide an overview of the emerging research progress on the function and regulatory pathway of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as tumor cells, and discuss its pathogenic role in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, primary Sjogren's syndrome, and cancers, such as melanomas, non-small-cell lung cancer, colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal carcinoma, and so on, hopefully providing potential therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for clinical use.​ AbstractAbsent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a novel member of interferon (IFN)-inducible PYHIN proteins. In innate immune cells, AIM2 servers as a cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA  sensor, playing a crucial role in the initiation of the innate immune response as a component of the inflammasome. AIM2 expression is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, and primary Sjogren's syndrome, indicating that AIM2 might be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, AIM2 also plays an antitumorigenesis role in an inflammasome independent-manner. In melanoma, AIM2 is initially identified as a tumor suppressor factor. However, AIM2 is also found to contribute to lung tumorigenesis via the inflammasome-dependent release of inter leukin 1β and regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. Additionally, AIM2 reciprocally dampening the cGAS-STING pathway causes immunosuppression of macrophages and evasion of antitu...
Source: Immunity, Inflammation and Disease - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research