Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Previous work has shown that transgenic mice expressing Δ;FosB both in the lens and in the retina developed a posterior subcapsular cataract resulting from the misalignment of the fibers in the suture region. In this previous study, it was not clear whether Δ;FosB expression was required in both tissues to produce cataract. Therefore, Δ;FosB expression targeted to either the lens or the retina was undertaken in order to clarify the contribution of each tissue to cataract development. Methods: A new construct for specific expression in the retina was prepared by removing the R2 enhancer from the previously used construct R2bRhoΔ;FosB. For lens expression, the R2ßB1Δ;FosB transgenic lines were bred through a number of generations and their expression was monitored by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Cataract development was followed non-invasively by slitlamp examination. Results: All constructs were examined by transfection experiments and were found to be expressed in the murine lens immortal cell line, αTN4-1. The mouse B6CBA transgenics prepared with R2bRhoΔ;FosB expressed Δ; FosB in both lens and retina and produced cataract. The new transgenic mice prepared with bRhoΔ;FosB which are PCR positive show no sign of lens opacity. Expression of Δ;FosB is being examined in both lens and retina and will be reported. One line of the R2 ßB1Δ;FosB transgenic was shown to have expression only in the lens and develops posterior subcapsular cataract. A number of other R2 ßB1 transgenic lines are also under investigation and observations on these lines will be reported. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that retinal expression of Δ;FosB is not sufficient to cause cataract while expression exclusively in the lens produces posterior subcapsular cataract.
Keywords: 338 cataract • 476 molecular biology • 606 transgenics/knock-outs