Week 8

Question 1

Corneal Diseases

Answer 1

1. Loss of corneal epithelial identity with gain of skin epithelial identity
2. WNT7A and PAX6: treatment via isolation and differentiation of corneal epithelium SC (Feedback Loop: use Pax6 to convert SESC into Corneal-ESC)
   > Original: p63 self-renewal –> corneal fate with K3 and K12
   > Limbal SC implant + p63 self-renewal –> epidermal cell with K1 and K10 (modifies surface to not hurt corneal nerves)

Question 2

Cataract

Answer 2

1. Lanosterol reduces intracellular aggregation of crystallin mutants (alpha B-R120G)
   > Reduce pre-formed amyloid lens protein aggregation
2. In-Situ Functional Lens Regeneration (endogenous):
   > PAX6/BMI1+ lens epithelial SC for repair (use GFP to mark RAX6; lens ESC intact/MI)

Question 3

AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) + Smoking

Others: Diabetic retinopathy + Glaucoma

Answer 3

1. Locus: HTRA2/ARMS2
2. Pathways:
   > Classical: IgM, IgG or CRP
   > Mannose-binding lectin complex
   > Endogenous or foreign pathogens

Question 4

SC in Eye Repair

Answer 4

1. ASC (retinal, limbal for cornea and lens SC); iPS (skin/hair; no transplantation immune rejection)
   > Embryoid body (Rx neuro-induction) –> Rx/PAX6 (evagination) –> NE Rx/PAX6 with SOX1 spherical vesicles (invagination) –> NE with RPE and neural retina/optical nerve