Ulcerative colitis (UC) causes misery for millions worldwide. It affects the large intestine, causing pain, cramping, and frequent bowel movements with bloody diarrhea. Although some people go through periods when they feel well, the disease will suddenly flare up, causing another cycle of pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. There is currently no cure.

The research group of Hisako Kayama and Kiyoshi Takeda (WPI-IFReC/ CiDER/ Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka) showed that OTU deubiquitinase 3 (OTUD3) suppresses pathologic activation of fibroblasts exposed to microbial cyclic GMP-AMP (3'3'-cGAMP) in the colon by deubiquitinating stimulator of interferon genes (STING).
(online publication in Science Immunology on July 19, 2025)

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Kiyoshi Takeda Lab.

ktakedaongene.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Mucosal Immunology