Ultrastructural study of Connexin 43 deficient mice

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To describe the morphological corneal anomalies induced by the lack of functional Cx43; as well as it’s expression within the cornea of newborn and adult mice. Methods:Eyes from wild–type mice and mice deficient in Cx43 (Cx43–/– and Cx43+/–) were collected and analysed structurally by light, confocal and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical study is performed using connexin–specific antibodies in order to assess the presence and localization of CX43. Results:Anatomical anomalies are present in both Cx43 –/– and Cx43–/+ mice corneas. These are major in Cx43–/– newborn mice and minor in Cx43–/+ newborn or adult mice (Cx43–/– mice can’t become adults due to lethal cardiovascular defects). Cx43 is expressed in basal cells of the corneal epithelium as well as between endothelial cells. Cx43 is expressed in different patterns in Cx 43+/+ wild type and Cx43+/– mice in the epithelium; endothelium as well as in kératocytes. Conclusions:These preliminary results indicate that the functional properties of Cx43 are required for normal corneal development in mice.

Keywords: cornea: epithelium • cornea: stroma and keratocytes • genetics