TBK1 and infection: The capacity of tissues to mount an immune response to infection involves the stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) (also known as TMEM173) signaling pathway since STING recruits TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which is able to activate interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) leading to its translocation to the nucleus where it increases the transcription of type I IFNs.