Our objective was to determine the nature and extent of androgen regulation of gene expression in the female lacrimal, meibomian,and submandibular glands, and to explore the degree to which this control is the same as in male glands.
Influence of testosterone on gene expression in the ovariectomized mouse submandibular gland.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesUsing a hitherto uncharacterized knockout mouse model of Notch 3, a Notch signaling receptor paralogue highly expressed in vascular SMCs, we uncover a striking susceptibility to ischemic stroke upon challenge. Cellular and molecular analyses of vascular SMCs derived from these animals associate Notch 3 activity to the expression of specific gene targets, whereas genetic rescue experiments unambiguously link Notch 3 function in vessels to the ischemic phenotype.
Notch signaling functions in retinal pericyte survival.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesPurpose. How vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of the wet-surfaced phenotype at the ocular surface is not well understood. We sought to identify vitamin A responsive genes in ocular surface epithelia using gene microarray analysis of cultures of a human conjunctival epithelial cell line (HCjE) grown with all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). The analysis showed that the membrane-associated mucin MUC16 was induced by RA and that secretory phospholipase A2 Group IIA (sPLA2-IIA), the gene most upregulated by RA, was induced earlier. Since eicosanoids, metabolites of arachidonic acid, which is produced by sPLA2 catalysis of membrane phospholipids, have been demonstrated to affect mucin production, we sought to determine if the sPLA2 induction in HCjE cells was associated with RA induction of MUC16.
Effect of retinoic acid on gene expression in human conjunctival epithelium: secretory phospholipase A2 mediates retinoic acid induction of MUC16.
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View SamplesGoblet cell numbers decrease within the conjunctival epithelium in drying and cicatrizing ocular surface diseases. Factors regulating goblet cell differentiation in conjunctival epithelium are unknown. Recent data indicate that the transcription factor SAM-pointed domain epithelial-specific transcription factor (Spdef) is essential for goblet cell differentiation in tracheobronchial and gastrointestinal epithelium of mice. Using Spdef -/- mice, we determined that Spdef is required for conjunctival goblet cell differentiation and that Spdef -/- mice, which lack conjunctival goblet cells, have significantly increased corneal surface fluorescein staining and tear volume, a phenotype consistent with dry eye.
No associated publication
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesRat Retinal Mller cells from diabetic rats (diabetes duration 6 months) compared to Rat Retinal Mller cells from healthy rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotozine. Diabetic rats were treated with small doses of insulin to prevent catabolism.
No associated publication
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View SamplesExpression analysis of multiple mouse strains across two developmental timepoints to determine both strain specific and temporal expression of genes in the mouse retina
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesAlthough there have been studies conducted on cornea and retina growth and development, postnatal gene expression studies on sclera growth during postnatal growth has not been well characterised. Given that the mouse genome has 85% homology to the human genome and has been completely sequenced, mouse model for the study of ocular growth has advantages over other animal models. Thus, we aimed to study the biology and genetics behind sclera growth during post-natal development in Balb/cJ mice as a means to understand genetic changes that cause scleral growth and development during post-natal eye development
No associated publication
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGene Expression profiling of pterygium. Analysis of conjunctiva and pterygium samples.
No associated publication
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View SamplesTo date, there is no specific marker for limbal epithelial stem cells. The identification of a marker that is expressed in the limbal epithelium but not in the cornea or conjunctiva epithelium has been a growing need. To search for limbal-specific marker(s), we performed preferential gene profiling in the limbus in direct comparison to that in the cornea and conjunctiva using microarray technique.
No associated publication
Specimen part
View SamplesDefining the normal and age-dependent HCEnC transcriptome will further refine our understanding of the functional roles that the endothelium plays in the cornea and will provide a basis upon which to compare transcriptomes of normal and dystrophic endothelium for the subsequent development of gene-targeted therapies.
Transcriptome analysis of the human corneal endothelium.
Specimen part
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