Naked DNA in cells: An inducer of major histocompatibility complex molecules to evoke autoimmune responses?

Figure 1 Cytosolic double-stranded DNA signal pathways. TLR9-dependent and TLR9-independent signal pathways have been proposed to mediate foreign- or self-derived cytosolic dsDNA signal to induce the expression of MHC molecules, type I IFNs, and proinflammatory cytokines. At the same time, cytosolic dsDNA can trigger AIM2-mediated inflammasome formation to produce active IL-1 and IL-18. Consequently, exposure to cytosol dsDNA will increase the probability of (auto)immune response. TLR9: Toll-like receptor 9; MyD88: Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88; TRAF6: Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6; IRF7/3: Interferon regulatory factor 7/3; RNA pol III: RNA polymerase III; RIG1: Retinoic acid-inducible gene 1; IPS1: Interferon-promoter stimulator 1; DAI: DNA-dependent activator of interferon - regulatory factors; TREX1: 3-5 exonuclease (also known as DNase III); STING: Stimulator of interferon genes; TBK1: TANK-binding kinase 1; AIM2: Absent in melanoma 2; ASC: Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein complex; HIN: C-terminal HIN-200 domain; PYD: N-terminal pyrin domain; CARD: Caspase activation and recruitment domain; IFNAR: Type I interferon receptor; STAT1: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1; JAK1: Janus kinase 1; CTL: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes; IFN: Interferon; MHC: Major histocompatibility complex; IL: Interleukin; dsDNA: Double-stranded DNA.