Ultraviolet B-induced Otx2 expression in lens epithelial cells promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation of eyes is a major risk factor for cataractogenesis, although the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood and genes that are affected by UV radiation have not been fully identified. In this study, we examined the UV-related gene regulation in lens epithelial cells (LECs) of mouse eyes and investigated the molecular mechanisms of UV-triggered cataractogenesis. Forty-one genes were significantly upregulated in LECs following UVB exposure in vivo in two independent experiments. Among these, Otx2 was strongly upregulated in LECs, suggesting that it may act as an upstream regulator of UVB-induced changes in gene expression. Accordingly, Otx2 overexpression in LECs in vitro induced morphological changes in cell shapes. Epithe

SUBMITTER: Yoshitomi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6398467 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature