In the current study we investigated the expression of EP3 protein in the conjunctiva of patients with various ocular surface diseases such as SJS/TEN, chemical eye burns, Mooren's ulcers, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).
Single nucleotide polymorphism association analysis showed that the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), prostaglandin-E receptor 3 (PTGER3), and IKZF1 gene were significantly associated with CM-SJS/TEN with SOC and that they could regulate mucocutaneous inflammation including that of the ocular surface.
In a previous genome-wide association study of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) patients we reported the association between SJS/TEN and the prostaglandin E receptor 3 (PTGER3) gene, and that its protein PGE<sub>2</sub> receptor 3 (EP3) was markedly downregulated in the conjunctival epithelium of SJS/TEN patients.