Abstract
Purpose: :
To examine the expression pattern of transmembranous collagen XXIII in the developing mouse cornea.
Methods: :
Embryonic mouse eyes at various stages of development were purchased, embedded in OCT, and sectioned. To detect the transmembranous collagen, an antibody generated against recombinant collagen XXIII was reacted with sections and visualized by a tagged secondary antibody using immunofluorescence microscopy. Nuclei were stained with DAPI.
Results: :
Collagen XXIII expression is first detected at embryonic day 12 (E12), where it is brightly detectible in both corneal and lens cells prior to their separation. By E13 an anterior chamber is formed, and the expression of collagen XXIII is no longer observed in the lens, but is still seen in the corneal epithelium. It is also particularly bright in the posterior region of the cornea where the endothelium is beginning to form. By E14 the endothelium is formed, the stroma is apparent, and a definitive anterior chamber is visible. However, immunodetection of collagen XXIII is greatly reduced, and remains so until after birth. By post natal week 8, when the cornea is fully mature, bright immunoreactivity of collagen XXIII is again observed in the epithelium, and distinct expression is seen in the endothelium. There is minimal staining in the stroma.
Conclusions: :
Collagen XXIII is developmentally regulated in the mouse cornea. It is expressed early in corneal development, and then again once the cornea is mature.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • extracellular matrix • gene/expression