Knockdown of CXCL14 disrupts neurovascular patterning during ocular development

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• CXCL14 (C-X-C motif ligand 14) is a conserved chemokine with known roles in adult antiangiogenesis and anticancer functions.
• Its role during embryonic development, particularly in the eye, remains largely uncharacterized.
• Previous studies identified CXCL14 mRNA in ocular tissues during development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of CXCL14 protein during ocular development.
• To determine the impact of CXCL14 on neurogenesis and vascularization in the developing eye.

Main Methods:

• RCAS-mediated knockdown of CXCL14 in ocular tissues.
• Analysis of neural and vascular development in the eye.
• In vitro experiments using recombinant CXCL14 to assess CXCL12 modulation.

Main Results:

• CXCL14 protein is expressed in the anterior eye and retina during critical developmental stages.
• CXCL14 knockdown led to severe ocular neural defects, including excessive corneal innervation and retinal malformations.
• Absence of CXCL14 resulted in misprojection of retinal ganglion neurons and corneal neovascularization.
• CXCL14 inhibited CXCL12-induced axon growth in vitro, suggesting a role in modulating CXCL12 signaling.

Conclusions:

• CXCL14 plays a critical role in modulating neurogenesis in the developing eye.
• CXCL14 is essential for inhibiting ectopic vascularization of the cornea.
• These findings reveal a novel function for CXCL14 in ocular development.