Continuous expression of the homeobox gene Pax6 in the ageing human retina.
OBJECTIVE
In the past few years, the essential role of the homeobox gene Pax6 for eye development has been demonstrated unambiguously in a variety of species including humans. In humans, Pax6 mutations lead to a variety of ocular malformations of the anterior and posterior segment. However, little is known about PAX6 expression in the adult human retina. We have therefore investigated PAX6 levels and localization in the human retina at various ages.


METHODS
Adult human eyes of various ages (17-79 years) were obtained from the Zurich Eye Bank. PAX6 expression levels and patterns were analysed by Western blot analysis of total retinal protein and by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, respectively.


RESULTS
PAX6 expression in the retina was detected up to 79 years of donor age and was predominantly localized to the ganglion cell layer and the inner part of the inner nuclear layer.


CONCLUSIONS
PAX6 remains distinctly expressed throughout the lifespan of the human retina suggesting a role for PAX6 in the retina after completion of eye morphogenesis.
Stanescu
D
D
Laboratory for retinal cell biology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinic Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse, and Research Laboratory for Calcium Metabolism, Orthopedic University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland.
Iseli
H P
HP
Schwerdtfeger
K
K
Ittner
L M
LM
Remé
C E
CE
Hafezi
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins