TGF-β-SNAIL axis induces Muller glial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

ABSTRACT: The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in fibrogenic diseases where transdifferentiated myofibroblasts produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, resulting in organ dysfunction. Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is a vision-threatening disorder characterized by fibrocellular proliferation and contraction on the central retina. Müller glial cells, which regulate retinal physiology and structure, are the major cellular components in the iERM tissue; however, the pathological role of this cell type remains incompletely understood. Here we revealed the involvement of Müller glial-mesenchymal transition (GMT), as an alternative to EMT, in the pathogenesis of iERM lacking epithelial contribution in nature. Of various pro-fibrotic cytokines, transforming growth f

SUBMITTER: Kanda A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6346093 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature