| First Author | Nakamura T | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | Stem Cells | Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 1265-74 |
| PubMed ID | 18292208 | Mgi Jnum | J:220954 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5637500 | Doi | 10.1634/stemcells.2007-1067 |
| Citation | Nakamura T, et al. (2008) Hes1 regulates corneal development and the function of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells. Stem Cells 26(5):1265-74 |
| abstractText | Hes1, a major target gene in Notch signaling, regulates the fate and differentiation of various cell types in many developmental systems. To gain a novel insight into the role of Hes1 in corneal tissue, we performed gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies. We show that corneal development was severely disturbed in Hes1-null mice. Hes1-null corneas manifested abnormal junctional specialization, cell differentiation, and less cell proliferation ability. Worthy of note, Hes1 is expressed mainly in the corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and is not detected in the differentiated corneal epithelial cells. Expression of Hes1 is closely linked with corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cell proliferation activity in vivo. Moreover, forced Hes1 expression inhibits the differentiation of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and maintains these cells' undifferentiated state. Our data provide the first evidence that Hes1 regulates corneal development and the homeostatic function of corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells. |
