Publications

ArfGAP2 promotes STING proton channel activity, cytokine transit, and autoinflammation

Poddar S, Chauvin SD, Archer CH, Qian W, Castillo-Badillo JA, Yin X, Disbennett WM, Miner CA, Holley JA, Naismith TV, Stinson WA, Wei X, Ning Y, Fu J, Ochoa TA, Surve N, Zaver SA, Wodzanowski KA, Balka KR, Venkatraman R, Liu C, Rome K, Bailis W, Shiba Y, Cherry S, Shin S, Semenkovich CF, De Nardo D, Yoh S, Roberson EDO, Chanda SK, Kast DJ, Miner JJ. ArfGAP2 promotes STING proton channel activity, cytokine transit, and autoinflammation. Cell. 2025 Mar 20;188(6):1605-1622.e26. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.027. Epub 2025 Feb 12. PMID: 39947179; PMCID: PMC11928284.

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) transmits signals downstream of the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic guanosine monophosphate-AMP synthase (cGAS), leading to transcriptional upregulation of cytokines. However, components of the STING signaling pathway, such as IRF3 and IFNAR1, are not essential for autoinflammatory disease in STING gain-of-function (STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy [SAVI]) mice. Recent discoveries revealed that STING also functions as a proton channel that deacidifies the Golgi apparatus. Because pH impacts Golgi enzyme activity, protein maturation, and trafficking, we hypothesized that STING proton channel activity influences multiple Golgi functions. Here, we show that STING-mediated proton efflux non-transcriptionally regulates Golgi trafficking of protein cargos. This process requires the Golgi-associated protein ArfGAP2, a cell-type-specific dual regulator of STING-mediated proton efflux and signaling. Deletion of ArfGAP2 in hematopoietic and endothelial cells markedly reduces STING-mediated cytokine and chemokine secretion, immune cell activation, and autoinflammatory pathology in SAVI mice. Thus, ArfGAP2 facilitates STING-mediated signaling and cytokine release in hematopoietic cells, significantly contributing to autoinflammatory disease pathogenesis.