MOLECULAR STUDIES OF THE THIEL-BEHNKE CORNEAL DYSTROPHY

描述(申请人提供)：我们研究的总体目标是确定和了解基因和分子机制，这些基因和分子机制将导致对遗传性角膜前基质和Bowman膜复合体疾病的角膜透明度和伤口愈合有一个广泛的概述和理解。一旦Thiel-Behnke角膜营养不良(CDB2)的致病基因(S)被克隆和鉴定，这项研究将揭示伤口愈合和瘢痕形成的相关机制，这是角膜移植所必需的最常见的视力丧失原因。 人类角膜中的遗传缺陷会导致严重的视觉功能丧失 剧烈疼痛、流泪和畏光的症状。由于受影响的个体数量相对较多，遗传性角膜疾病成为密切研究的重点，其治疗成为优先事项。Reis-Buckler‘s角膜营养不良(CDB1)的致病基因β-ig-h3和尚未确定的ThieI-Behnke致病基因(CDB2)可能通过其在角膜细胞外基质中的结构作用而在角膜透明中发挥重要作用。这两种疾病的临床表型相似，可能表明CDB2基因在伤口愈合和Bowman膜复合体的瘢痕形成中也起着至关重要的作用。 长期目标将包括设计表达突变蛋白的转基因动物，以增强我们在分子水平上对角膜发育机制和功能的理解。这将通过突变形式的表达和对角膜表型影响的评估来阐明致病基因的启动子和增强子元件。由于致病基因(S)是通过这些转基因模型来描述的，因此应该可以基于潜在的生化、结构和代谢缺陷的知识来设计专门的治疗方法。最终，这些信息也应该有助于确定其他患者这些疾病的遗传原因，并最终将有助于更准确的诊断、有效的遗传咨询以及更好的预防和/或治疗方案。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of our research is to determine and understand the genes and the molecular mechanisms that will lead to a broad overview and understanding of corneal transparency and wound healing in inherited corneal disorders of the anterior stroma and Bowman's membrane complex. Once the disease-causing gene(s) for Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy (CDB2) are cloned and characterized, this research will shed light on the associated mechanisms of wound healing and scarring, the most common cause for loss of vision necessitating in corneal transplantation. Genetic defects in the cornea in humans can result in serious loss of visual function with accompanying symptoms of severe pain, tearing and photophobia. Given the relatively large number of affected individuals, it is imperative that the inheritable corneal diseases become the focus of intense study and their treatments become a high priority. Beta-ig-h3, the causative gene for Reis-Bucklers' corneal dystrophy (CDB1), and the yet to be identified causative gene for ThieI-Behnke (CDB2) may play a crucial role in corneal transparency via its structural role in the extracellular matrix of the cornea. The similar clinical phenotypes of the two diseases may suggest that the CDB2 gene also plays a vital role in wound healing and scarring of the Bowman's membrane complex. Long term goals will include engineering transgenic animals that express mutant proteins will enhance our understanding of developmental mechanisms and functions of the cornea at the molecular level. This will be accomplished by elucidating the promoter and enhancer elements of the disease-causing gene through the expression of mutant forms and assessment on the phenotypic impact in the cornea. As the causative gene(s) are characterized through these transgenic models, it should be possible to design specialized therapies based on knowledge of the underlying biochemical, structural and metabolic defect. Eventually, this information should also be of use in determining the genetic cause of these diseases in other patients and will contribute, ultimately, to more accurate diagnosis, effective genetic counseling, and better regimens for prevention and/or treatment.