STAT3 signaling maintains homeostasis through a barrier function and cell survival in corneal endothelial cells

The cornea protects the eye from inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of blindness. Severe inflammation in the anterior chamber disrupts the barrier function of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) leading to severe visual loss. However, the mechanism by which such inflammation affects CEC function and survival is unknown. Activation of STAT3 signaling regulates various intracellular responses through inflammation and generally mediates expression of the barrier function marker zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). In this study, we investigated the relationship between the corneal endothelial barrier function and activation of STAT3 signaling through a variety of cytokines in human CECs. Phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) was expressed in human and mouse CECs. Inhibition of pSTAT3 remarkably decreased the expression of the ZO-1 protein, reduced the transendothelial electric resistance, and induced cell apoptosis. The expression level of ZO-1 mRNA was correlated with that of STAT3 mRNA in the human corneal endothelium. pSTAT3 was increased with the addition of LIF, IL-6, and IFN-gamma. LW expressed in CECs suppressed pSTAT3 activation as observed experimentally using an anti-LIF antibody. Promoter regions of ZO-1 and SOCS3 were directly regulated by transcriptional activation of STAT3. These findings suggest that regulation of the STAT3 pathway is essential for corneal endothelial homeostasis via barrier function and may protect from various inflammatory factors.