Abstract
Purpose :
The cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in innate immunity. Previous studies have shown that activation of cGAS-STING is implicated in AMD pathogenesis. Whether this pathway is implicated in cataractogenesis remains to be studied. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression patterns of the major signal components of the cGAS-STING pathway in normal human lens and cataract patients.
Methods :
Normal human lens were collected from Guangdong Province Eye Bank. Cataract capsular epithelia were harvested during surgical operation with consent of cataract patients. Micro-Western blot analysis (Wes) was used to detect the expression levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1 and IRF3.
Results :
From normal human lens to cataractous lens, cGAS protein was significantly downregulated. Among different age groups of cataract patients, cGAS was upregulated from 50s to 60s, and then returned to the similar level of 50s in both 70s and 80s. Different from cGAS, the STING protein level in normal human and cataract patients lenses of 60-year old was similar. In different groups of cataract patients, STING became downregulated from 60s to 80s. For TBK1 and IRF3, they were barely detectable in normal human lens. In cataract patients, both TBK1 and IRF3 were easily detected. From 60s to 80s, however, they were downregulated.
Conclusions :
The major components of the cGAS/STING pathway were differentially expressed from normal human lens to cataractous lens. The cGAS/STING pathway may play a protective role against cataractogenesis.Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 81970787, 82000876, 81770910) and Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province and Guangdong City Joint Program of China (2019B1515120014)，and the Fundamental Funds, 3030901010110 of the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.