Mechanisms in the Induction of Lens Regeneration

Panagiotis A. Tsonis, Katia Del Rio Tsonis, Matt Grogg and Mindy K. Call

Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469-2320 and Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 (KDRT)

The process of lens regeneration in adult newts is one of the best examples of regeneration by transdifferentiation. After lentectomy, the pigment epithelial cells (PECs) of the dorsal iris only dedifferentiate and then differentiate to form a new lens. The restriction of this process from the ventral iris of the newt as well as in other animals introduces important questions on the regulation of regeneration. Based on the above, we have decided to search for molecules, which can be specific to the newt dorsal iris, and therefore involved in the regulation and induction of lens regeneration. We have identified two pathways that are involved in the induction of lens regeneration. We will present data indicating that in one pathway six-3 and retinoic acid and in the other inhibition of the BMP pathway induce lens transdifferentiation from the ventral iris. We will also present data extending research to other animal models, especially mammals.