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Wang Y, Ge H, Chen P, Wang Y. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in corneal epithelium development, homeostasis, and pathobiology. Exp Eye Res 2024; 246:110022. [PMID: 39117134 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is located on the most anterior surface of the eyeball and protects against external stimuli. The development of the corneal epithelium and the maintenance of corneal homeostasis are essential for the maintenance of visual acuity. It has been discovered recently via the in-depth investigation of ocular surface illnesses that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is necessary for the growth and stratification of corneal epithelial cells as well as the control of endothelial cell stability. In addition, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is directly linked to the development of common corneal illnesses such as keratoconus, fungal keratitis, and corneal neovascularization. This review mainly summarizes the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the development, homeostasis, and pathobiology of cornea, hoping to provide new insights into the study of corneal epithelium and the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Huanhuan Ge
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China; Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Ye Wang
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, Shandong 266042, China.
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Post Y, Lu C, Fletcher RB, Yeh WC, Nguyen H, Lee SJ, Li Y. Design principles and therapeutic applications of novel synthetic WNT signaling agonists. iScience 2024; 27:109938. [PMID: 38832011 PMCID: PMC11145361 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Wingless-related integration site or Wingless and Int-1 or Wingless-Int (WNT) signaling is crucial for embryonic development, and adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration, through its essential roles in cell fate, patterning, and stem cell regulation. The biophysical characteristics of WNT ligands have hindered efforts to interrogate ligand activity in vivo and prevented their development as therapeutics. Recent breakthroughs have enabled the generation of synthetic WNT signaling molecules that possess characteristics of natural ligands and potently activate the pathway, while also providing distinct advantages for therapeutic development and manufacturing. This review provides a detailed discussion of the protein engineering of these molecular platforms for WNT signaling agonism. We discuss the importance of WNT signaling in several organs and share insights from the initial application of these new classes of molecules in vitro and in vivo. These molecules offer a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of how WNT signaling agonism promotes tissue repair, enabling targeted development of tailored therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorick Post
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chenggang Lu
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Russell B. Fletcher
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wen-Chen Yeh
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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Dan J, Tan T, Wu M, Gong J, Yang Q, Wang L, Wang P. Lithium chloride promotes diabetic corneal epithelial wound healing by activating the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:373. [PMID: 37415836 PMCID: PMC10320653 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal epithelial abnormality is a common manifestation of diabetic keratopathy and leads to delayed epithelial wound healing. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway participates in the development, differentiation and stratification of corneal epithelial cells. The present study compared the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related factors, including Wnt7a, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and phosphorylated (p-) glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (Gsk3b) between normal and diabetic mouse corneas, by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. It was found that the expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related factors was downregulated in diabetic corneas. Upon corneal epithelium scraping, the wound healing rate was significantly increased in diabetic mice after topical treatment with lithium chloride. After further investigation, significantly upregulated levels of Wnt7a, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and p-Gsk3b were found in the diabetic group 24 h after treatment, accompanied by β-catenin nuclear translocation observed by immunofluorescence staining. These results suggest that active Wnt/β-catenin pathway can promote diabetic corneal epithelial wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Dan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Ting Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yiling Hospital, Yichang, Hubei 443100, P.R. China
| | - Man Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Jin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Qingguo Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Linling Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Second Clinical Medical College of China, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
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Wang Y, Di G, Zhang K, Bai Y, Cao X, Zhao H, Wang D, Chen P. Loss of aquaporin 5 contributes to the corneal epithelial pathogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22776. [PMID: 36688817 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201503r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AQP5 plays a crucial role in maintaining corneal transparency and the barrier function of the cornea. Here, we found that in the corneas of Aqp5-/- mice at older than 6 months, loss of AQP5 significantly increased corneal neovascularization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and corneal haze. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that upregulation of K1, K10, and K14, and downregulation of K12 and Pax6 were detected in Aqp5-/- cornea and primary corneal epithelial cells. Loss of AQP5 aggravated wound-induced corneal neovascularization, inflammation, and haze. mRNA sequencing, western blotting, and qRT-PCR showed that Wnt2 and Wnt6 were significantly decreased in Aqp5-/- corneas and primary corneal epithelial cells, accompanied by decreased aggregation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of β-catenin. IIIC3 significantly suppressed corneal neovascularization, inflammation, haze, and maintained corneal transparent epithelial in Aqp5-/- corneas. We also found that pre-stimulated Aqp5-/- primary corneal epithelial cells with IIIC3 caused the decreased expression of K1, K10, and K14, the increased expression of K12, Pax6, and increased aggregation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of β-catenin. These findings revealed that AQP5 may regulate corneal epithelial homeostasis and function through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Together, we uncovered a possible role of AQP5 in determining corneal epithelial cell fate and providing a potential therapeutic target for corneal epithelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Guohu Di
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaier Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Bai
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- The 971 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, Qingdao, China
| | - Dianqiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qingdao Aier Eye Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Dupacova N, Kozmik Z. Multiple roles of Pax6 in postnatal cornea development. Dev Biol 2022; 491:1-12. [PMID: 36049534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian corneal development is a multistep process, including formation of the corneal epithelium (CE), endothelium and stroma during embryogenesis, followed by postnatal stratification of the epithelial layers and continuous renewal of the epithelium to replace the outermost corneal cells. Here, we employed the Cre-loxP system to conditionally deplete Pax6 proteins in two domains of ocular cells, i.e., the ocular surface epithelium (cornea, limbus and conjunctiva) (OSE) or postnatal CE via K14-cre or Aldh3-cre, respectively. Earlier and broader inactivation of Pax6 in the OSE resulted in thickened OSE with CE and limbal cells adopting the conjunctival keratin expression pattern. More restricted depletion of Pax6 in postnatal CE resulted in an abnormal cornea marked by reduced epithelial thickness despite increased epithelial cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence studies revealed loss of intermediate filament Cytokeratin 12 and diffused expression of adherens junction components, together with reduced tight junction protein, Zonula occludens-1. Furthermore, the expression of Cytokeratin 14, a basal cell marker in apical layers, indicates impaired differentiation of CE cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Pax6 is essential for maintaining proper differentiation and strong intercellular adhesion in postnatal CE cells, whereas limbal Pax6 is required to prevent the outgrowth of conjunctival cells to the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Naoko Dupacova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic.
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Conditional Deletion of AP-2β in the Periocular Mesenchyme of Mice Alters Corneal Epithelial Cell Fate and Stratification. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168730. [PMID: 34445433 PMCID: PMC8395778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is an anterior eye structure specialized for vision. The corneal endothelium and stroma are derived from the periocular mesenchyme (POM), which originates from neural crest cells (NCCs), while the stratified corneal epithelium develops from the surface ectoderm. Activating protein-2β (AP-2β) is highly expressed in the POM and important for anterior segment development. Using a mouse model in which AP-2β is conditionally deleted in the NCCs (AP-2β NCC KO), we investigated resulting corneal epithelial abnormalities. Through PAS and IHC staining, we observed structural and phenotypic changes to the epithelium associated with AP-2β deletion. In addition to failure of the mutant epithelium to stratify, we also observed that Keratin-12, a marker of the differentiated epithelium, was absent, and Keratin-15, a limbal and conjunctival marker, was expanded across the central epithelium. Transcription factors PAX6 and P63 were not observed to be differentially expressed between WT and mutant. However, growth factor BMP4 was suppressed in the mutant epithelium. Given the non-NCC origin of the epithelium, we hypothesize that the abnormalities in the AP-2β NCC KO mouse result from changes to regulatory signaling from the POM-derived stroma. Our findings suggest that stromal pathways such as Wnt/β-Catenin signaling may regulate BMP4 expression, which influences cell fate and stratification.
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Pokorná Z, Vysloužil J, Hrabal V, Vojtěšek B, Coates PJ. The foggy world(s) of p63 isoform regulation in normal cells and cancer. J Pathol 2021; 254:454-473. [PMID: 33638205 DOI: 10.1002/path.5656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The p53 family member p63 exists as two major protein variants (TAp63 and ΔNp63) with distinct expression patterns and functional properties. Whilst downstream target genes of p63 have been studied intensively, how p63 variants are themselves controlled has been relatively neglected. Here, we review advances in understanding ΔNp63 and TAp63 regulation, highlighting their distinct pathways. TAp63 has roles in senescence and metabolism, and in germ cell genome maintenance, where it is activated post-transcriptionally by phosphorylation cascades after DNA damage. The function and regulation of TAp63 in mesenchymal and haematopoietic cells is less clear but may involve epigenetic control through DNA methylation. ΔNp63 functions to maintain stem/progenitor cells in various epithelia and is overexpressed in squamous and certain other cancers. ΔNp63 is transcriptionally regulated through multiple enhancers in concert with chromatin modifying proteins. Many signalling pathways including growth factors, morphogens, inflammation, and the extracellular matrix influence ΔNp63 levels, with inconsistent results reported. There is also evidence for reciprocal regulation, including ΔNp63 activating its own transcription. ΔNp63 is downregulated during cell differentiation through transcriptional regulation, while post-transcriptional events cause proteasomal degradation. Throughout the review, we identify knowledge gaps and highlight discordances, providing potential explanations including cell-context and cell-matrix interactions. Identifying individual p63 variants has roles in differential diagnosis and prognosis, and understanding their regulation suggests clinically approved agents for targeting p63 that may be useful combination therapies for selected cancer patients. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Pokorná
- Research Centre of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vysloužil
- Research Centre of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Hrabal
- Research Centre of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borˇivoj Vojtěšek
- Research Centre of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip J Coates
- Research Centre of Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
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Tiwari A, Swamynathan S, Campbell G, Jhanji V, Swamynathan SK. BMP6 Regulates Corneal Epithelial Cell Stratification by Coordinating Their Proliferation and Differentiation and Is Upregulated in Pterygium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:46. [PMID: 32845956 PMCID: PMC7452852 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.10.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Proper balance between cell proliferation and differentiation is essential for corneal epithelial (CE) stratification and homeostasis. Although bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP6) is known to be expressed in the CE for over 25 years, its function in this tissue remains unknown. Here, we test the hypothesis that BMP6 promotes CE cell stratification and homeostasis by regulating their proliferation and differentiation. Methods We employed postnatal day-12 (PN-12), PN-14, PN-20, and PN-90 mouse eyes; human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells; and ocular surface fibrovascular disease pterygium tissues to evaluate the role of BMP6 in CE proliferation, differentiation, and pathology by RT-qPCR, immunoblots, and/or immunofluorescent staining. Cell proliferation was quantified by immunostaining for Ki67. Results Coincident with the mouse CE stratification between PN-12 and PN-20, BMP6 was significantly upregulated and the BMP6 antagonist Noggin downregulated. Mature CE retained high BMP6 and low Noggin expression at PN-90. BMP6 and its receptors BMPR1A and BMPR2 were upregulated during in vitro stratification of HCLE cells. Consistent with its anti-proliferative role, exogenous BMP6 suppressed HCLE cell proliferation, downregulated cyclin-D1 and cyclin-D2, and upregulated cell-cycle inhibitors Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and p21. BMP6 also upregulated the desmosomal cadherins desmoplakin and desmoglein in HCLE cells, consistent with its pro-differentiation role. Human pterygium displayed significant upregulation of BMP6 coupled with downregulation of Noggin and cell-cycle suppressors KLF4 and p21. Conclusions BMP6 coordinates CE stratification and homeostasis by regulating their proliferation and differentiation. BMP6 is significantly upregulated in human pterygium concurrent with downregulation of Noggin, KLF4, and p21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Tiwari
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gregory Campbell
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Shivalingappa K Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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Walker H, Akula M, West-Mays JA. Corneal development: Role of the periocular mesenchyme and bi-directional signaling. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108231. [PMID: 33039457 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cornea is a highly specialized transparent tissue located at the anterior most surface of the eye. It consists of three main layers, the outer stratified squamous epithelium, the inner endothelium, and the intermediate stroma. Formation of these layers during development involves a complex interaction between ectodermal-derived structures, such as the overlying head ectoderm with the periocular mesenchyme (POM), the latter of which is comprised of neural crest cells (NCC) and mesoderm-derived progenitor cells. Regulation of corneal epithelial development, including both epithelial cell fate and stratification, has been shown to depend on numerous bi-directional mesenchymal-epithelial signaling pathways. In this review we pay particular attention to the genes and signaling pathways that involve the POM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydn Walker
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Akula
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Dupacova N, Zitova A, Kozmik Z. Generation and characterization of Aldh3-Cre transgenic mice as a tool for conditional gene deletion in postnatal cornea. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9083. [PMID: 32493941 PMCID: PMC7270111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65878-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditional gene targeting in mice by means of Cre-loxP strategy represents a powerful approach to study mammalian gene function. This approach is however dependent on the availability of suitable strains of mice with a tissue or time restricted activity of the Cre recombinase. Here we describe Aldh3-Cre transgenic mice as a useful tool to conditionally delete genes in cornea, a specialized transparent tissue found on the anterior-most part of the eye, which acts as a protective barrier and contributes to the refractive power. Using a set of floxed alleles we demonstrate high Aldh3-Cre activity in corneal epithelial cells, corneal stroma and conjunctival epithelial cells at postnatal stages. Aldh3-Cre will thus be particularly beneficial for functional analysis of genes which are vital for postnatal development of cornea and conjunctiva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Naoko Dupacova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Zitova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic. .,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Praha 4, 142 20, Czech Republic.
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