The cGAS-STING pathway-dependent sensing of mitochondrial DNA mediates ocular surface inflammation.

ABSTRACT: The innate immune response is the main pathophysiological process of ocular surface diseases exposed to multiple environmental stresses. The epithelium is central to the innate immune response, but whether and how innate immunity is initiated by ocular epithelial cells in response to various environmental stresses in ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye, is still unclear. By utilizing two classic experimental dry eye models-a mouse ocular surface treated with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and a mouse model with surgically removed extraorbital lachrymal glands, as well as dry eye patient samples-along with human corneal epithelial cells (HCE) exposed to hyperosmolarity, we have discovered a novel innate immune pathway in ocular surface epithelial cells. Under stress, mitochondrial DNA (mt

SUBMITTER: Ouyang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10514335 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature