The long term objective of this application is to provide a better understanding of the role of keratocyte-specific keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KSPG), keratocan, in corneal function and the role of keratocan during development and in the maintenance of corneal homeostatis. Failure to have normal developmental process of the cornea will result in diseases such as corneal dystrophy. Keratocan (Ktcn), lumican (Lum), and mimecan belong to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) gene family. They are major components of extracellular KSPG in vertebrate corneal stroma. It has been suggested that corneal KSPGs modulate collagen fibrillogenesis and thus contribute to the corneal transparency.
The specific aim 1 is to test the hypothesis by generating Ktcn-null mice via gene-targeting and examining the phenotypic changes in Ktcn-/- cornea. The mouse Ktcn is specifically expressed in keratocytes. In embryos, the Ktcn expression tracks the neural crest cells migrating during morphogenesis of tissue such as corneal stroma, limb and diaphragm. We hypothesize that keratocyte lineage plays a pivotal role in corneal morphogenesis and in the maintenance of corneal function.
The specific aim 2 is to elucidate the molecular basis of keratocyte-specific gene expression and to characterize keratocyte lineage. To achieve this goal, the investigator has shown that the 3.2 kb Ktcn can direct a foreign gene (beta-geo) expression specifically to keratocytes in adult transgenic mice (Tg).
Aim 2. 1 is to further define the keratocyte-specific cis-regulatory element within the 3.2 kb promoter by a series of Ktcn promoter deletion mutants using transgenic mice.
Aim 2. 2 is to confirm the cis-element with DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The Ktcnpr3.2-betageobpA Tg allow us to trace keratocytes via X-gal staining.
The specific aim 3 is to use this Tg as a model to study cellular responses of corneal keratocytes, conjunctival keratocytes, and scleral fibroblasts during wound healing.
The specific aim 4 is to test the role of keratocytes during development and in the epithelium-mysenchyme interactions by genetic ablation of keratocytes in a tetracycline inducible Ktcnpr3.1-rtTA/tetO-DT-A Tg model.
Aim 4. 1 is to ablate the periocular neural crest cells during corneal morphogenesis and to examine the consequences on corneal and lens morphogenesis.
Aim 4. 2 is to ablate the keratocytes in adult animals, thus epithelium and endothelium response to the keratocyte cell death can be elucidated.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY012486-04
Application #
6688228
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Program Officer
Fisher, Richard S
Project Start
2001-02-01
Project End
2006-01-31
Budget Start
2003-02-01
Budget End
2004-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$265,125
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Miami School of Medicine
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
052780918
City
Miami
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33146
Liu, Chia-Yang (2012) Wakayama Symposium: Notch-FoxL2-?-SMA axis in eyelid levator muscle development and congenital blepharophimosis. Ocul Surf 10:221-3
Liu, Chia-Yang; Kao, Winston Whei-Yang (2012) Lumican promotes corneal epithelial wound healing. Methods Mol Biol 836:285-90
Zhang, Yujin; Kao, Winston W-Y; Pelosi, Emanuele et al. (2011) Notch gain of function in mouse periocular mesenchyme downregulates FoxL2 and impairs eyelid levator muscle formation, leading to congenital blepharophimosis. J Cell Sci 124:2561-72
Yeh, Lung-Kun; Liu, Chia-Yang; Kao, Winston W-Y et al. (2010) Knockdown of zebrafish lumican gene (zlum) causes scleral thinning and increased size of scleral coats. J Biol Chem 285:28141-55
Carlson, Eric C; Sun, Yan; Auletta, Jeffery et al. (2010) Regulation of corneal inflammation by neutrophil-dependent cleavage of keratan sulfate proteoglycans as a model for breakdown of the chemokine gradient. J Leukoc Biol 88:517-22
Zhang, Yujin; Call, Mindy K; Yeh, Lung-Kun et al. (2010) Aberrant expression of a beta-catenin gain-of-function mutant induces hyperplastic transformation in the mouse cornea. J Cell Sci 123:1285-94
Li, W; Chen, Y-T; Hayashida, Y et al. (2008) Down-regulation of Pax6 is associated with abnormal differentiation of corneal epithelial cells in severe ocular surface diseases. J Pathol 214:114-22
Chikama, Taiichiro; Liu, Chia-Yang; Meij, Johanna T A et al. (2008) Excess FGF-7 in corneal epithelium causes corneal intraepithelial neoplasia in young mice and epithelium hyperplasia in adult mice. Am J Pathol 172:638-49
Kao, Winston W-Y; Xia, Ying; Liu, Chia-Yang et al. (2008) Signaling pathways in morphogenesis of cornea and eyelid. Ocul Surf 6:9-23
Yeh, Lung-Kun; Liu, Chia-Yang; Chien, Chung-Liang et al. (2008) Molecular analysis and characterization of zebrafish keratocan (zKera) gene. J Biol Chem 283:506-17

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