Mechanical stress-induced release of mitochondrial double-stranded RNA activates RIG-I to drive osteogenic differentiation in aortic disease
Madeleine Graef, Felix Bender, Svenja Dudek, Paraskevi Vasileiadou, Sofía Soler, Thais Marina Schlee-Guimaraes, Lisa Maria Steinheuer, Jasper Spitzer, Kevin Thurley, Radosław P. Nowak, Katharina Isabell Maser, Susanne Schmidt, Philip R Goody, Martin Schlee, Sebastian Zimmer, , Gunther Hartmann
This study shows mechanical stress releases mitochondrial dsRNA, activating RIG-I to drive osteogenic differentiation and calcification in aortic disease, with JAK/STAT inhibition offering therapeutic potential.
bioRxiv · Oct 29, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology