Fig. 6

Induction of cGAS-STING pathway-mediated prostatitis by co-inhibiting MT and DHT in normal mice. A Schematic illustration of treatment by MT inhibitor (4-P-PDOT) and DHT inhibitor (finasteride) in normal mice for 3 weeks. 4-P-PDOT and finasteride were used to establish the mice model with dual deficient MT and DHT, which was applied to verify the relationship between dual deficient MT and DHT and prostatitis in SD mice. B-C Photos of prostate and corresponding sizes (prostate index) analysis. D The level of DHT in prostate of mice treated by finasteride. E Changes of tactile allodynia by Von Frey filaments. F HE staining showing the changes of prostate in mice after 4-P-PDOT and finasteride treatment. Scale bar, 100 μm. G-H The indexes of oxidative stress in prostate, including MDA and SOD. I-K ELISA analysis of cytokines in serum, including IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2. L-N ELISA analysis of cytokines in prostate tissue, including IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2. O-P Immunohistochemical staining of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. Scale bar, 100 μm. Q-R The corresponding average optical density (AOD) of immunohistochemistry for p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. S-T The changes of IFN-β levels in serum and prostate tissue. Data were presented as means ± SEM (n = 5). Statistical significance was calculated using the one-way ANOVA (C-E, G-N, and Q-T). ns, no significance, and ***P < 0.001