Open AccessIncreased cGAS/STING signaling components in patients with Mooren’s ulcer
Author(s) -
Yani Zhang,
Yanling Dong,
Wenpei Hao,
Xiaofei Bai,
Xia Qi,
Ting Liu,
Xiaotong Sun,
Chao Wei,
Xiaolin Qi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.634
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 2227-4898
pISSN - 2222-3959
DOI - 10.18240/ijo.2021.11.03
Subject(s) - irf3 , sting , western blot , immunohistochemistry , medicine , interferon , signal transduction , phosphorylation , blot , microbiology and biotechnology , cxcl10 , innate immune system , immunology , immune system , biology , chemokine , gene , biochemistry , engineering , aerospace engineering
AIM: To explore the expression of cGAS/STING signaling components in Mooren’s ulcer (MU).METHODS: Samples were obtained from ten MU patients, and eight residual corneal-scleral rings of healthy donor corneas for controls. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were used to evaluate the effect of cGAS/STING signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to examine the expression of cGAS, STING, and phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (p-IRF3) in MU tissues. The expression of interferon-β (IFN-β) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: The protein levels of cGAS and STING in MU samples were significantly elevated when compared with the healthy controls by Western blot and IHC. After stimulation with cGAMP, real-time PCR and ELISA showed a dramatic increase of IFN-β and ISGs (containing CXCL10, IFIT1, and IL-6) in HCECs. Moreover, HCECs treated with cGAMP was characterized by increased phosphorylation and more nuclear translocation of IRF3. Meanwhile, increased p-IRF3 was observed in MU samples via IHC and Western blot.CONCLUSION: The pronounced expression of cGAS/STING signaling components in the patients with MU and probably contribute to the onset and development of MU.