Transcription factor profiling identifies Sox9 as regulator of proliferation and differentiation in corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells.

ABSTRACT: Understanding transcription factor (TF) regulation of limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LEPCs) may aid in using non-ocular cells to regenerate the corneal surface. This study aimed to identify and characterize TF genes expressed specifically in LEPCs isolated from human donor eyes by laser capture microdissection. Using a profiling approach, preferential limbal expression was found for SoxE and SoxF genes, particularly for Sox9, which showed predominantly cytoplasmic localization in basal LEPCs and nuclear localization in suprabasal and corneal epithelial cells, indicating nucleocytoplasmic translocation and activation during LEPC proliferation and differentiation. Increased nuclear localization of Sox9 was also observed in activated LEPCs following clonal expansion and corneal epit

SUBMITTER: Menzel-Severing J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6035181 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature