STING1 and infection: The cGAS-STING pathway, involving the synthase for the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAS) and the cyclic GMP-AMP receptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING), detects endogenous and exogenous double-stranded DNA to trigger an innate immune reaction involving a strong type I interferon response against infections and stress damage [8, 9].