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Integrated Spatiotemporal and Correlative Analysis of ATP-Related Signaling Components in Lens Development
Guangyan Wang1,2, Yumeng Quan1, Bo Ma1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Current Eye Research
|November 28, 2025
Summary
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) signaling components show specific expression patterns during lens development. These findings suggest ATP and purinergic receptors play roles in lens morphogenesis and maintaining transparency.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Lens transparency is crucial for vision and depends on regulated cell processes.
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ectonucleotidases and purinergic receptors are involved in tissue development but their role in the lens is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns and functional associations of ATP signaling components during lens development.
- To explore the role of purinergic signaling in lens cell proliferation, differentiation, and transparency.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed transcriptomic data from human, mouse, and chicken lenses to map ATP signaling component expression.
- Performed pathway enrichment and correlation analyses with developmental genes.
- Conducted in vitro experiments on lens cells and embryonic chick lens cultures to assess ATP effects and P2 receptor blockade.
Main Results:
- Identified region- and stage-specific expression of ATP ectonucleotidases and purinergic receptors.
- Found links to calcium signaling, autophagy, FGFR, and redox regulation pathways.
- Observed biphasic effects of ATP on cell viability and differentiation markers; P2 receptor inhibition impacted differentiation.
Conclusions:
- ATP signaling components exhibit distinct spatiotemporal expression and functional associations in lens development.
- Purinergic receptor subtypes may regulate diverse processes essential for lens morphogenesis and transparency.
- These findings highlight the involvement of ATP and purinergic signaling in maintaining lens homeostasis.
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