Caveolin-1 and migration of bone-marrow derived cells in the mouse eye

Bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) can be found in almost every tissue showing a distinct turnover and density. Since caveolin-1 regulates junction-associated proteins in endothelial and epithelial cells, its role for BMDC was investigated in the eyes of caveolin-1 knock-out mice transplanted with GFP-marked BMDC. Distribution and turnover of BMDC in connective tissues (cornea, iris, ciliary body and choroid) was not altered. The absence of caveolin-1, however, caused a significant decrease of BMDC turnover in cornea epithelium, ciliary epithelium, and in the retina. This finding emphasizes an important, hitherto unknown role of caveolin-1 in neuronal and epithelial tissues.