Lens placode modulates extracellular matrix formation during early eye development

• Published in: Differentiation (London) 2024-07, Vol.138, p.100792, Article 100792
• Main Authors: De Magalhães, Cecília G., Cvekl, Ales, Jaeger, Ruy G., Yan, C.Y. Irene
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 - genetics; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 - metabolism; Chick Embryo; Chickens - genetics; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Eye - embryology; Eye - growth & development; Eye - metabolism; Eye Proteins - genetics; Eye Proteins - metabolism; Fibronectin; Gelatinase; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Homeodomain Proteins - genetics; Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism; Laminin; Lens placode; Lens, Crystalline - cytology; Lens, Crystalline - growth & development; Lens, Crystalline - metabolism; Mice; Paired Box Transcription Factors - genetics; Paired Box Transcription Factors - metabolism; PAX6 Transcription Factor - genetics; PAX6 Transcription Factor - metabolism; Repressor Proteins - genetics; Repressor Proteins - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Timp2; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 - metabolism
• ISSN: 0301-4681; 1432-0436; 1432-0436
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2024.100792

The role extracellular matrix (ECM) in multiple events of morphogenesis has been well described, little is known about its specific role in early eye development. One of the first morphogenic events in lens development is placodal thickening, which converts the presumptive lens ectoderm from cuboidal to pseudostratified epithelium. This process occurs in the anterior pre-placodal ectoderm when the optic vesicle approaches the cephalic ectoderm and is regulated by transcription factor Pax6 and secreted BMP4. Since cells and ECM have a dynamic relationship of interdependence and modulation, we hypothesized that the ECM evolves with cell shape changes during lens placode formation. This study investigates changes in optic ECM including both protein distribution deposition, extracellular gelatinase activity and gene expression patterns during early optic development using chicken and mouse models. In particular, the expression of Timp2, a metalloprotease inhibitor, corresponds with a decrease in gelatinase activity within the optic ECM. Furthermore, we demonstrate that optic ECM remodeling depends on BMP signaling in the placode. Together, our findings suggest that the lens placode plays an active role in remodeling the optic ECM during early eye development.