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Isolation of Intact Eyeball to Obtain Integral Ocular Surface Tissue for Histological Examination and Immunohistochemistry
Published on: October 20, 2019
Expression of the transcription factor Hes3 in the mouse and human ocular surface, and in pterygium
Matina Economopoulou1, Jimmy Masjkur, Frederik Raiskup
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany.
Purpose:
In this work we examined the presence of the neural stem cell biomarker Hairy and Enhancer of Split 3 (Hes3) in the anterior eye segment and in the aberrant growth condition of the conjunctiva pterygium. Further, we studied the response of Hes3 to irradiation.
Materials And Methods:
Adult mouse and human corneoscleral junction and conjunctiva, as well as human pterygium were prepared for immunohistochemical detection of Hes3 and other markers. Total body irradiation was used to study the changes in the pattern of Hes3 expression.
Results:
The adult rodent and human eye as well as pterygium, contain a population of cells expressing Hes3. In the human eye, Hes3-expressing (Hes3+) cells are found predominantly in the subconjunctival space spanning over the limbus where they physically associate with blood vessels. The cytoarchitecture of Hes3 + cells is similar to those previously observed in the adult central nervous system. Furthermore, irradiation reduces the number of Hes3 + cells in the subconjunctival space. In contrast, irradiation strongly promotes the nuclear localization of Hes3 in the ciliary body epithelium.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that a recently identified signal transduction pathway that regulates neural stem cells and glioblastoma cancer stem cells also operates in the ocular surface, ciliary body, and in pterygium.
Insights
The neural stem cell biomarker Hairy and Enhancer of Split 3 (Hes3) is present in the adult human eye and pterygium. Irradiation affects Hes3 cell numbers and localization in ocular tissues.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- The neural stem cell biomarker Hairy and Enhancer of Split 3 (Hes3) is crucial in regulating neural stem cells and cancer stem cells.
- Understanding Hes3 expression in the ocular surface is essential for regenerative medicine and understanding aberrant growth conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and localization of Hes3 in the anterior eye segment and conjunctival pterygium.
- To examine the effect of irradiation on Hes3 expression patterns in ocular tissues.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical detection of Hes3 in adult mouse and human corneoscleral junction, conjunctiva, and human pterygium.
- Total body irradiation was employed to analyze changes in Hes3 expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Hes3-expressing cells were identified in the adult rodent and human eye, as well as in pterygium.
- In the human eye, Hes3+ cells are primarily located in the subconjunctival space near blood vessels, with a cytoarchitecture resembling CNS neural stem cells.
- Irradiation decreased Hes3+ cells in the subconjunctival space but increased nuclear Hes3 localization in the ciliary body epithelium.
Conclusions:
- A signal transduction pathway regulating neural and glioblastoma stem cells is also active in the ocular surface, ciliary body, and pterygium.
- Hes3 plays a role in ocular surface homeostasis and may be involved in pterygium development.
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