New Discovery Challenges Decades-Old Theory of DNA Damage and Aging

Scientists found that damaged DNA can activate the cGAS immune sensor, triggering chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration in rare DNA repair disorders.

In a fast-aging animal model, lowering cGAS activity reduced neuroinflammation and improved tissue and reproductive health.

The results suggest that inflammation from damaged DNA may drive much of the aging-like decline, even without fully repairing the DNA itself.

This points to cGAS as a potential treatment target for protecting tissue function in aging and DNA repair diseases.