Tcf7l2 localization of putative stem/progenitor cells in mouse conjunctiva.
Conjunctival integrity and preservation is indispensable for vision. The self-renewing capacity of conjunctival cells controls conjunctival homeostasis and regeneration; however, the source of conjunctival self-renewal and the underlying mechanism is currently unclear. Here, we characterize the biochemical phenotype and proliferative potential of conjunctival epithelial cells in adult mouse by detecting proliferation-related signatures and conducting clonal analysis. Further, we show that transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell-specific transcription factor 4), a DNA binding protein expressed in multiple types of adult stem cells, is highly correlated with proliferative signatures in basal conjunctival epithelia. Clonal studies demonstrated that Transcription factor 7-like 2 (Tcf7l2) was coexpressed with p63α and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in propagative colonies. Furthermore, Tcf7l2 was actively transcribed concurrently with conjunctival epithelial proliferation in vitro. Collectively, we suggest that Tcf7l2 may be involved in maintenance of stem/progenitor cells properties of conjunctival epithelial stem/progenitor cells, and with the fornix as the optimal site to isolate highly proliferative conjunctival epithelial cells in adult mice.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Yadan
Y
Quan
Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua College of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Xinchun
X
Zhang
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Siying
S
Xu
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Kang
K
Li
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Feng
F
Zhu
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Qian
Q
Li
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and.
Xianxian
X
Cai
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and rongluzz@yahoo.com.
Rong
R
Lu
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D058118:Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; C544895:Tcf7l2 protein, mouse; D058118:Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
Tcf7l2; conjunctival epithelium; proliferation