Several subsequent studies have confirmed that TFAM downregulation triggers the release of mtDNA into the cytosol and that TFAM per se is a modulator of immunogenicity (Sects. "Dysfunctional autophagy, mitophagy, remodeling of the mitochondrial membranes, and budding of mitochondrial-derived vesicles", "TFAM modulates mtDNA immunogenicity", "mtDNA signaling via DSRs in vascular and metabolic diseases"-"mtDNA signaling via DSRs in viral and bacterial infections") [37]. The gene discussed is TFAM; the disease is metabolic disease.