Characterisation of Novel Inhibitors of Nucleic Acid Sensing Pathways

Chronic inflammation contributes to over half of all deaths worldwide, including those from cancer, aging, and infections like COVID-19. Our immune system uses sensors to monitor pathogenic nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), but when this system malfunctions, it can cause harmful inflammation. This research identified isoflavone-based small molecules and short oligonucleotide-based inhibitors that block these immune sensors and mitigate inflammation. These findings offer a promising set of therapeutic tools to regulate and better understand aberrant and excessive immune responses in diseases driven by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.