Notch Signaling in the Corneal Epithelium

描述（由申请人提供）：角膜上皮是眼睛最敏感和最关键的结构之一。目前，调节角膜上皮细胞分化和更新的途径在很大程度上是未知的。 了解控制角膜上皮再生的精确调节途径对于开发许多角膜伤口愈合障碍的有效治疗方法至关重要。Notch信号是决定细胞命运的重要信号通路，近年来被认为与角膜上皮的生长和分化有关。本申请的长期目标是双重的。首先，通过定义Notch信号在角膜上皮生长和分化调节中的作用，为眼表疾病患者开发新颖和创新的治疗方法做出贡献。第二，进一步发展申请人作为临床科学家的职业生涯，并促进他成为独立研究者的过渡。为了实现本申请的研究目的，将追求以下三个具体目标：（1）确定角膜上皮细胞增殖和分化过程中Notch受体和配体的表达。(2)表征诱导的Notch激活和抑制对人角膜上皮细胞生长和分化的影响。(3)确定Notch激活和抑制在鼠角膜上皮中的体内作用。除了追求这些具体目标外，申请人还将遵循精心设计的职业发展计划，包括在经验丰富的导师的直接监督下进行教学和实践培训。总的来说，这些研究将提高我们对眼睛表面如何再生的理解。这些结果将导致开发新的治疗方法，用于患有涉及眼睛表面的视觉障碍的患者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The corneal epithelium is one of the most sensitive and critical structures of the eye. Currently, the pathways that regulate the differentiation and renewal of the corneal epithelial cells are largely unknown. Understanding the precise regulatory pathways governing corneal epithelial regeneration is critical for the development of effective treatments for many corneal wound healing disorders. Notch signaling, which is an important pathway in cell-fate determination, has recently been implicated in corneal epithelial growth and differentiation. The long-term objective of this application is two fold. First, is to contribute to the development of novel and innovative treatments for patients with ocular surface disease by defining the role of Notch signaling in the regulation of corneal epithelial growth and differentiation. Second, is to further develop the career of the applicant as a clinician-scientist and facilitate his transition to becoming an independent investigator. To accomplish the research objectives of this application, the following three specific aims will be pursued: (1) Determine the expression of Notch receptors and ligands in the corneal epithelial cells during proliferation and differentiation. (2) Characterize the effects of induced Notch activation and inhibition on the growth and differentiation of the human corneal epithelial cells. (3) Determine the in vivo effects of Notch activation and inhibition in the murine corneal epithelium. In addition to pursuing these specific aims, the applicant will follow a carefully designed career development plan involving didactic and hands-on training under the direct supervision of experienced mentors. Overall, these studies will improve our understanding of how the surface of the eye is regenerated. These results will lead to the development of new treatments for patients with disabling visual conditions involving the surface of the eye.