Goblet cells of the conjunctiva: A review of recent findings.
Goblet cells within the conjunctival epithelium are specialized cells that secrete mucins onto the surface of the eye. Recent research has demonstrated new characteristics of the cells, including factors influencing their differentiation, their gene products and their functions at the ocular surface. The following review summarizes the newly discovered aspects of the role of Spdef, a member of the Ets transcription factor family in conjunctival goblet cell differentiation, the newly discovered goblet cell products including claudin2, the Wnt inhibitor Frzb, and the transmembrane mucin Muc16. The current concepts of conjunctival goblet cell function, including debris removal and immune surveillance are reviewed, as are changes in the goblet cell population in ocular surface diseases. Major remaining questions regarding conjunctival cell biology are discussed.
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: Ilene_gipson@meei.harvard.edu.
Ilene K
IK
Gipson
D000818:Animals; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D057167:Claudins / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets / Q000502:physiology; D000099274:Frizzled-Related Proteins
D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D057167:Claudins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009077:Mucins; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D000099274:Frizzled-Related Proteins; C491875:CLDN2 protein, human; C451759:MUC16 protein, human; C403974:SPDEF protein, human
Conjunctival epithelium; Dry eye; Goblet cell; Goblet cell differentiation; Ocular surface; SPDEF