Pard3 promotes corneal epithelial stratification and homeostasis by regulating apical-basal polarity, cytoskeletal organization and tight junction-mediated barrier function

IF 5.9 1区医学 Q1 OPHTHALMOLOGY

Ocular Surface Pub Date : 2025-04-04 DOI:10.1016/j.jtos.2025.04.001

Mehak Vohra , Simran Kumar , Peri Sohnen , Satinder Kaur , Sudha Swamynathan , Tomonori Hirose , Zbynek Kozmik , Shivalingappa K. Swamynathan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

To document the expression of apical-basal polarity (ABP) determinants in the mouse corneal epithelium (CE) and elucidate the functions of Pard3 in establishment and maintenance of ABP, stratification, homeostasis, and barrier function in the CE.

Methods

Pard3^Δ/ΔC mice (Pard3^LoxP/LoxP; Aldh3A1-Cre/+) with cornea-specific Pard3 ablation were generated by breeding Aldh3A1-Cre/+ with Pard3^LoxP/LoxP mice. The control (Aldh3A1-Cre/+ or Pard3^LoxP/LoxP alone) and Pard3^Δ/ΔC corneal histology, ocular surface properties, barrier function, and actin cytoskeleton were assessed by Haematoxylin and Eosin staining of paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescein staining, and phalloidin staining, respectively. The expression of specific markers of interest was evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunoblots and immunofluorescent staining.

Results

Dynamic changes were observed in the expression and localization of ABP determinants as the CE stratified and matured between post-natal day 5 (PN5) and PN52. Adult Pard3^Δ/ΔC CE contained fewer cell layers with rounded basal cells, and loosely adherent superficial cells lacking microplicae. Adult Pard3^Δ/ΔC CE also displayed impaired barrier function with decreased expression of tight junction, adherens junction, and desmosome components, disrupted actin cytoskeletal organization, increased proliferation, and upregulation of transcription factors that drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusions

Disruption of ABP in Pard3^Δ/ΔC CE, altered expression of cell junction complex components and disorganized actin cytoskeleton, increased cell proliferation, and upregulated EMT transcription factors suggest that the ABP-determinant Pard3 promotes CE features while suppressing mesenchymal cell fate. Collectively, these results elucidate that Pard3-mediated ABP is essential for CE stratification, homeostasis and barrier function.

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Pard3 通过调节顶端-基底极性、细胞骨架组织和紧密连接介导的屏障功能，促进角膜上皮分层和平衡。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ocular Surface 医学-眼科学

CiteScore

11.60

自引率

14.10%

发文量

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： The Ocular Surface, a quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal, is an authoritative resource that integrates and interprets major findings in diverse fields related to the ocular surface, including ophthalmology, optometry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, infectious disease, and epidemiology. Its critical review articles cover the most current knowledge on medical and surgical management of ocular surface pathology, new understandings of ocular surface physiology, the meaning of recent discoveries on how the ocular surface responds to injury and disease, and updates on drug and device development. The journal also publishes select original research reports and articles describing cutting-edge techniques and technology in the field. Benefits to authors We also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services. Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our Support Center