Fig. 4: Expression of Cx50E48K mimics characteristics of congenital cataracts with lens opacities, disrupted lens structure, and increased oxidative stress.
From: Development of a potent embryonic chick lens model for studying congenital cataracts in vivo
A Lenses were dissected at E14 and E20, and lens opacity was observed under a dissecting microscope. Scale bar: 400 µm. The severity of opacities was categorized as mild and severe cataracts, distinguished by the extent of clarity in the central region of the lens. Morphology and organization of E14 (B) and E20 (C) chick lenses expressing exogenous Cx50E48K mutation or contralateral lens control were examined by H&E staining. Scale bar for the entire lens: 100 µm. As indicated by black frame boxes in the entire lens, (a, f, and k) anterior lens region; (b, g, and l) central lens region; (c, h, and m) posterior lens region; (d, i, and n) lens equator region. Arrowheads indicate disrupted nuclear distribution. (e, j, and o) showing the most visible changes of the lens. Arrows show liquefied spaces between cortical fibers (evenly red-stained). Asterisks showed enlarged extracellular spaces of lens fibers. Hashtags indicate enlarged fiber cells. Scale bar: 50 µm. D Paraffin lens tissue sections of E20 lenses with an injection of recombinant retrovirus containing vehicle, Cx50WT, or mutation were stained with anti-4-HNE antibody by incubation with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) reagent. Scale bar for the entire lens: 100 µm. Scale bar for partial lens region: 50 µm.
