Nephronectin-integrin α8 signaling is required for proper migration of periocular neural crest cells during chick corneal development.

ABSTRACT: During development, cells aggregate at tissue boundaries to form normal tissue architecture of organs. However, how cells are segregated into tissue precursors remains largely unknown. Cornea development is a perfect example of this process whereby neural crest cells aggregate in the periocular region prior to their migration and differentiation into corneal cells. Our recent RNA-seq analysis identified upregulation of nephronectin (Npnt) transcripts during early stages of corneal development where its function has not been investigated. We found that Npnt mRNA and protein are expressed by various ocular tissues, including the migratory periocular neural crest (pNC), which also express the integrin alpha 8 (Itgα8) receptor. Knockdown of either Npnt or Itgα8 attenuated cornea

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8916771 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature