title: Anterior segment development relevant to glaucoma.
abstract: Development of the ocular anterior segment involves a series of inductive interactions between neural ectoderm, surface ectoderm and periocular mesenchyme. The timing of these events is well established but less is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. Various genes that participate in these processes have been identified. As the roles of more genes are determined, developmental pathways and networks will emerge. Here, we focus on recent advances made using mouse models. We summarize key morphological events in formation of anterior chamber structures, including the aqueous humor drainage structures that are involved in intraocular pressure (IOP) regulation and glaucoma. We discuss the developmental roles of genes that associate with abnormal anterior segment development and elevated IOP or glaucoma (including Bmp4, Cyp1b1, Foxc1, Foxc2, Pitx2, Lmx1b and Tyr ) and how some of these genes may fit into developmental networks.
authors.affiliation: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Simon W M
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007498:Iris / Q000196:embryology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C112890:Foxc1 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C000605732:Pax6 protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta