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Investigation of the Difference in Growth-Promoting Factor Secretion Between Canine and Rabbit Corneal Epithelial
Maresuke Morita1, Naoki Fujita1, Kohei Saeki1
1Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Veterinary Ophthalmology
|July 19, 2025
Summary
Canine corneal epithelial cells promote their own growth by releasing factors like neuregulin 1 (NRG1) and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). Rabbit corneal cells, however, release inhibitors, explaining differences in cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Canine corneal epithelial cells exhibit high proliferative potential.
- Understanding the autocrine mechanisms regulating corneal epithelial cell growth is crucial for regenerative medicine and treating corneal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autocrine secretion of soluble factors in canine corneal epithelial cells.
- To compare these mechanisms with those in rabbit corneal epithelial cells to understand differences in proliferative properties.
Main Methods:
- Cultured primary canine and rabbit corneal epithelial cells and a canine cell line (cCEpi).
- Assessed the effects of conditioned media on cell growth.
- Utilized cDNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to compare gene expression of soluble factors.
Main Results:
- Canine conditioned media enhanced rabbit cell growth, while rabbit conditioned media inhibited canine cell growth.
- Canine cells highly expressed epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligands (NRG1, HB-EGF).
- Rabbit cells showed high expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling factors (CTGF, TGF-β2).
Conclusions:
- Canine corneal epithelial cells utilize autocrine growth promotion via NRG1 and HB-EGF.
- Low secretion of inhibitory factors like CTGF and TGF-β2 contributes to canine cell proliferation.
- These autocrine mechanisms are vital for maintaining canine corneal epithelial cell proliferative properties.
Keywords:
autocrine secretioncDNA microarraycanine corneal epithelial cellsepidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligandssoluble factortransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signalingMore Related Videos
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