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A genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to ultraviolet light among recombinant SWXJ inbred strains of mice
J E Downes1, P G Swann, R S Holmes
1Division of Science and Technology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
Purpose:
To examine a possible genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to UV-B light exposure.
Methods:
To this end, adult male mice from the 14 SWXJ recombinant inbred albino strains (originating from SJL/J and SWR/J parental strains) were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure of 0.078 J/cm2 and photographed four days post-exposure, to assess corneal opacity and the possible correlation with corneal aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and soluble protein content.
Results:
Those recombinant strains that exhibited the SWR/J strain phenotype of having low levels of ALDH and decreased soluble protein levels also exhibited greater levels of corneal clouding after UV-exposure than the other strains, which exhibited "normal" levels of both ALDH activity and soluble protein in the cornea.
Conclusions:
These data support an hypothesis for a major role for ALDH in assisting the cornea to protect the eye against UV-induced tissue damage.