Hes1, a major target gene in Notch signaling, regulates the fate and differentiation of various cell types in many developmental systems. To gain a novel insight into the role of Hes1 in corneal tissue, we performed gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies. We show that corneal development was severely disturbed in Hes1-null mice. Hes1-null corneas manifested abnormal junctional specialization, cell differentiation, and less cell proliferation ability. Worthy of note, Hes1 is expressed mainly in the corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and is not detected in the differentiated corneal epithelial cells. Expression of Hes1 is closely linked with corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cell proliferation activity in vivo. Moreover, forced Hes1 expression inhibits the differentiation of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and maintains these cells' undifferentiated state. Our data provide the first evidence that Hes1 regulates corneal development and the homeostatic function of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1634/stemcells.2007-1067 | DOI Listing |
Cell Tissue Bank
January 2025
Academic Ophthalmology, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Globally there is a shortage of available donor corneas with only 1 cornea available for every 70 needed. A large limitation to corneal transplant surgery is access to quality donor tissue due to inadequate eye donation services and infrastructure in many countries, compounded by the fact that there are few available long-term storage solutions for effectively preserving spare donor corneas collected in countries with a surplus. In this study, we describe a novel technology termed low-temperature vacuum evaporation (LTVE) that can effectively dry-preserve surplus donor corneal tissue, allowing it to be stored for approximately 5 years, shipped at room temperature, and stored on hospital shelves before rehydration prior to ophthalmic surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cyst Fibros
January 2025
Pulmonology Department, Regional University Hospital of Malaga, Department of Medicine and Dermatology, University of Malaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA) - Bionand Platform, Malaga, Spain. Electronic address:
Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by variants in a gene that encodes a protein essential for water and ion transport in the epithelial cells of exocrine organs. Given the possible relationship of this protein and conjunctival and corneal epithelium, the aim of this study was to evaluate ophthalmologic alterations in people with CF.
Methods: Forty-five people with CF underwent pulmonary evaluation including inflammatory score (IS).
Cornea
November 2024
Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Purpose: We demonstrate a novel approach for the definitive treatment of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy via an unintentionally staged alcohol keratectomy and intentionally targeted minor limbal excision with cautery.
Methods: A 46-year-old woman presented with visually significant corneal changes, suspected to be Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy after clinical examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and confocal microscopy. Alcohol keratectomy was performed with complete resolution, but there was visually significant recurrence at 2 years.
BMC Ophthalmol
January 2025
Fudan University Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Background: To evaluate the biosafety, reduction in anterior capsule opacification, and fluctuation in intraocular pressure (IOP) of a new phakic refractive lens (PRL) with a sinusoidal drainage groove design.
Methods: This self-controlled experiment was performed on eight eyes of four rabbits. Each rabbit was implanted with a sinusoidal PRL (PRL-S5) in the right eye and a conventional posterior chamber PRL (PC-PRL) in the left eye.
J Clin Med
December 2024
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Microvilli are bristle-like protuberances of the plasma membrane, which express the vitality of mucous and epithelial cells; their alteration indicates a condition of cellular suffering in a predictive sense, making it possible to establish how much an inflammatory state or toxic conditions affect cellular functionality. In this article, the authors evaluate the applications of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination to impression cytology (IC) of the bulbar conjunctiva for the assessment of microvillar alteration as an early ultrastructural indicator of ocular surface health. This method offers several advantages, starting with its simplicity: it involves the non-invasive application of a strip of bibulous paper to the bulbar or tarsal conjunctiva.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!