SOX2 Regulates P63 and Stem/Progenitor Cell State in the Corneal Epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Mutations in key transcription factors SOX2 and P63 were linked with developmental defects and postnatal abnormalities such as corneal opacification, neovascularization, and blindness. The latter phenotypes suggest that SOX2 and P63 may be involved in corneal epithelial regeneration. Although P63 has been shown to be a key regulator of limbal stem cells, the expression pattern and function of SOX2 in the adult cornea remained unclear. Here, we show that SOX2 regulates P63 to control corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cell function. SOX2 and P63 were co-expressed in the stem/progenitor cell compartments of the murine cornea in vivo and in undifferentiated human limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells in vitro. In line, a new consensus site that allows SOX2-mediated regulation of P63 enhance

SUBMITTER: Bhattacharya S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6850148 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature