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Protein expression pattern of collagen type XV in mouse cornea
Shizuya Saika1, Yuka Okada, Takeshi Miyamoto
1Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, 641-0012, Japan. shizuya@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Summary
Collagen type XV is expressed in developing mouse corneas and adult corneal stroma. During corneal wound healing, epithelial cells down-regulate collagen XV, potentially aiding avascularity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Collagen type XV is a multiplexin, a basement membrane collagen.
- Its COOH-terminal peptide exhibits anti-angiogenic properties.
- Understanding its role in the avascular cornea is of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate collagen type XV expression during mouse embryonic development.
- To analyze collagen type XV changes in adult mouse corneas after injury.
- To correlate collagen type XV distribution with corneal avascularity.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescent staining of mouse embryonic eyes (E10.5-18.5) and adult corneas.
- Analysis of corneas after débridement or incision injury.
- Paraffin embedding and deparaffinization of tissue sections.
Main Results:
- Collagen type XV expression initiated faintly in embryonic corneal epithelium and eyelid fibroblasts at E14.5.
- By E18.5, expression expanded to corneal epithelium, epidermis, conjunctiva, and keratocytes.
- In adult corneas, collagen XV was found in epithelial cells and stroma, but not the subepithelial basement membrane.
- Corneal epithelial cells undergoing repair showed reduced collagen XV protein expression.
Conclusions:
- Collagen type XV expression begins in embryonic corneal epithelium and keratocytes prior to birth.
- Murine corneal epithelial cells down-regulate collagen XV during healing.
- Collagen XV presence in the corneal stroma may contribute to maintaining avascularity.