Pro-inflammatory
cytokines upregulate the expression of the H2O2-producing
NADPH oxidase dual oxidase 2 (
DUOX2)2 which, when elevated, adversely affects survival from pancreatic ductal
adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Because the cGAS-
STING pathway is known to initiate pro-inflammatory
cytokine expression following uptake of exogenous
DNA, we examined whether activation of cGAS-
STING could play a role in the generation of
reactive oxygen species by PDAC cells. Here, we found that a variety of exogenous
DNA species markedly increased the production of
cGAMP, the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3, and the translocation of phosphorylated IRF3 into the nucleus, leading to a significant, IRF3-dependent enhancement of
DUOX2 expression, and a significant flux of H2O2 in PDAC cells. However, unlike the canonical cGAS-
STING pathway,
DNA-related
DUOX2 upregulation was not mediated by NF-κB. Although exogenous IFN-β significantly increased Stat1/2-associated
DUOX2 expression, intracellular IFN-β signaling that followed
cGAMP or
DNA exposure did not itself increase
DUOX2 levels. Finally,
DUOX2 upregulation subsequent to cGAS-
STING activation was accompanied by the enhanced, normoxic expression of HIF-1α and
VEGF-A as well as
DNA double strand cleavage, suggesting that cGAS-
STING signaling may support the development of an oxidative, pro-angiogenic microenvironment that could contribute to the
inflammation-related genetic instability of
pancreatic cancer.