[The progress of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ophthalmology]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a mechanism of cell transdifferentiation, plays a key role in embryonic development, tumor metastasis and tissue reparative process. The main manifestations of EMT are disappearance of epithelium polarity, lose of cell-cell junction, increased expression of mesenchymal phenotype and activated migratory ability of epithelium. EMT existed in the cornea epithelium regeneration, fibrosis, and wound healing. EMT also participates in the pathological development of lens trauma, cataract and proliferative vitreous retinopathy. This article outlined the recent progress of EMT in ophthalmology.