IRF3 and autoimmune disease: The host-derived cGAMP then binds to Transmembrane Protein 173 (TMEM173), also called stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which activates TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to phosphorylate Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF-3), a main regulator of type I IFN and inflammation response.6 Although the activation of the cGAS–cGAMP–STING pathway plays an important protective role against pathogens, persistent activation of this pathway is detrimental and might be the basis of some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.3,7