Bves is expressed in the epithelial components of the retina, lens, and cornea.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the expression pattern and subcellular localization of Bves/Pop1a protein, a newly identified cell adhesion molecule, during eye development and corneal regeneration.


METHODS
Staged embryonic and adult eyes were assayed using fluorescence immunohistochemistry to detect the Bves protein. A human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was used as a model to examine Bves localization during corneal growth and regeneration, with and without antisense morpholino treatment.


RESULTS
The data detail the expression and localization of Bves protein before, during, and after differentiation of the eye. In these analyses, Bves was localized to an apical-lateral position in the initial epithelial primordia of the eye. Later, Bves became localized to specific cell types and subcellular domains in the retina, lens, and cornea, indicating changes in Bves expression in the differentiated eye. Finally, an in vitro model of corneal wound healing showed that Bves staining was missing at the epithelial surface during cellular migration across the wound, but it reappeared at points of cell contact during the reinitiation of epithelial continuity. When epithelial sheets were treated with Bves antisense morpholinos to inhibit Bves function, disruption of epithelial integrity was observed. After injury, similar treatment resulted in an acceleration of cell movement at the wound surface but regeneration of an intact epithelium was ultimately impeded.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these studies suggest that Bves is expressed in epithelial elements of the developing eye and may have a role in corneal epithelial growth and regeneration.
Stahlman Cardiovascular Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. .
Anna N
AN
Ripley
Min S
MS
Chang
David M
DM
Bader
D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012038:Regeneration; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014945:Wound Healing
D030161:Avian Proteins; C498788:Bves protein, Gallus gallus; C498789:Bves protein, mouse; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005136:Eye Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins