Epithelial SOX11 regulates eyelid closure during embryonic eye development.

Authors :: Nunomura S
Nanri Y
Lefebvre V
Izuhara K
Source :: Biochemical and biophysical research communications [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] 2021 Apr 16; Vol. 549, pp. 27-33. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 01.
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF10)-mediated signals are essential for embryonic eyelid closure in mammals. Systemic SOX11-deficient mice are born with unclosed eyelids, suggesting a possible role of SOX11 in eyelid closure. However, the underlying mechanisms of this process remain unclear. In this study, we show that epithelial deficiency of SOX11 causes a defect in the extension of the leading edge of the eyelid, leading to failure of embryonic eyelid closure. c-Jun in the eyelid is a transcription factor downstream of FGF10 required for the extension of the leading edge of the eyelid, and c-Jun level was decreased in epithelial SOX11-deficient embryos. These results suggest that epithelial SOX11 plays an important role in embryonic eyelid closure.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)