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Published on: October 6, 2014
Eyelid development, fusion and subsequent reopening in the mouse
G S Findlater1, R D McDougall, M H Kaufman
1Department of Anatomy, University Medical School, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Mouse eyelid development involves critical fusion events from embryonic stages to postnatal days. Histology and electron microscopy reveal rapid epithelial changes, keratinization, and differentiation leading to mature eyelid structures.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Ophthalmology
- Mammalian embryology
Background:
- Eyelid development is crucial for eye protection and function.
- Understanding the precise timing and cellular mechanisms is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the key events in mouse eyelid development.
- To detail the morphological changes from embryonic to postnatal stages.
Main Methods:
- Conventional histology was employed.
- Scanning electron microscopy was utilized.
- Observations spanned from 15.5 days postcoitum to 12 days after birth.
Main Results:
- Eyelid fusion occurs within 24 hours around 15.5 days postcoitum.
- Periderm cells fill the fusion gap, forming a transient excrescence.
- Keratinization begins around 17.5 days postcoitum and progresses.
- Epidermal differentiation, including stratum granulosum, and hair follicle development are observed postnatally.
- Surface and conjunctival indentations form by 10 days after birth.
Conclusions:
- Mouse eyelid development is a dynamic process involving rapid fusion and differentiation.
- The study provides a detailed timeline of morphological changes during eyelid formation.
- These findings contribute to the understanding of craniofacial development.
Abstract:
The process of eyelid development was studied in the mouse. The critical events occur between about 15.5 d postcoitum (p.c.) and 12 d after birth, and were studied by conventional histology and by scanning electron microscopy. At about 15.5 d p.c. the cornea of the eye is clearly visible with the primitive eyelids being represented by protruding ridges of epithelium at its periphery. Over the next 24 h, eyelid development proceeds to the stage when the cornea is completely covered by the fused eyelids. Periderm cells stream in to fill the gap between the developing eyelids. Their proliferative activity is such that they produce a cellular excrescence on the outer surface of the line of fusion of the eyelids. This excrescence had almost disappeared by about 17.5 d p.c. Keratinisation is first evident at this stage on the surface of the eyelids and passes continuously from one eyelid to the other. Evidence of epidermal differentiation is more clearly seen in the newborn, where a distinctive stratum granulosum now occupies about one third of its entire thickness. Within the subjacent dermis, hair follicles are differentiating. By about 5 d after birth, a thick layer of keratin extends without interruption across the junctional region. While a noticeable surface indentation overlies the latter, a similar depression is only seen on the conjunctival surface by about 10 d after birth. Keratinisation is also observed to extend in from the epidermal surface to involve the entire region between the 2 eyelids at about this time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
