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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration
Published on: May 7, 2018
Increased cGAS/STING signaling components in patients with Mooren's ulcer
Ya-Ni Zhang1,2, Yan-Ling Dong3, Wen-Pei Hao4
1Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China.
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.
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