Interleukin-1β induces mitochondrial DAMP production to activate STING-dependent innate immune programs

Here we report that exogenous IL-1β induces TBK1-mediated interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and autophagic flux in human myeloid and epithelial cells. IL-1β-induced innate immune activation is dependent upon the DNA sensing pathway adaptor, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), through the recognition of mitochondrial DNA by cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Thus, IL-1β potentiates pathogen-induced interferon production and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling to amplify innate immune responses. A time series single cell RNA-seq analysis of interleukin-1β-treated human alveolar epithelial cells.