Gene Expression and Discovery During Lens Regeneration: Regulation of EMT and Lens Differentiation

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: When a mouse lens is removed but the capsule is left behind the lens is regenerated within a few weeks. However, EMT is also observed in the initial stages. This study aims to identify genes involved during EMT and lens differentiation in this mouse model for lens regeneration Methods: Cataract surgery was performed in mice and left to regenerate their lens. Tissues were collected 1, 2 and 3 weeks post–lentectomy. RNA was isolated and used as probes on gene microarrays. Expression of genes was compared with the intact lens. Results:Nearly 1,700 genes were found to be regulated during the 3 week period of regeneration. These genes were clustered depending of patterns of up–regulation and down– regulation. A major feature was that during the early stages genes involved in tissue repair and cell surface modifications were up–regulated and the ones involved in lens differentiation were down–regulated. This pattern was reversed during the later stages. Clustering of genes enabled us to identify new genes linked with either EMT or lens fiber differentiation Conclusions:This is an excellent system to study secondary cataracts at the genomic level and lens differentiation and identify new genes

Keywords: regeneration • wound healing • gene microarray