Longevity & AgingNAD Deficiency Triggers a Fake Viral Alarm Via Mitochondrial DNA Leakage
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that chronically low NAD levels cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to leak into the cell cytoplasm through a channel called VDAC1. This leaked mtDNA activates the cGAS-STING pathway, triggering an interferon-based inflammatory response nearly identical to what occurs during a viral infection. Remarkably, fibroblast cells survived up to 28 days with NAD levels below 10% of normal without becoming senescent or dying. Blocking VDAC1 oligomerization, STING signaling, or depleting mtDNA all prevented the inflammatory response. These findings link NAD decline — a hallmark of aging and disease — to a specific, targetable inflammatory mechanism.
