Studies on Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome patients and mice reveal Foxcl's role in corneal neovascularization

摘要

Normal vision critically depends on the transparency of the cornea overlying the lens. This tissue is made up of precisely oriented layers of fibroblasts perfectly interwoven with the collagen and other ECM components that they produce. Importantly, in the healthy eye, there are no blood vessels or lymphatic vessels in the stroma, making it what is known as an "angiogenically privileged" site. However, in a number of human ocular disorders, and in response to injuries like chemical burns, blood vessels do grow into the cornea from around the junction between the iris and the sclera (the limbus). This pathological angiogenesis can severely disrupt clarity of vision and necessitate corneal transplants. Consequently, there is intense interest in understanding the processes that normally restrict blood vessel growth into the cornea.