Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Date (from‐to) : 1997 -1998
Author : OZEKI Hironori; NOZAKI Miho; MIZUNO Shinichi
Using retinoic acid as a teratogenic factor, we made experimental models in mouse fetuses for various human ocular anomalies, including persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, uveal coloboma. Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, and Peters' anomaly.
And we elucidated that these ocular anomalies are caused by the abnormal neural crest cell migration. In addition, we determined their critical periods in mice ; from day 7 through day 11 of gestation. Based on the results, we inferred corresponding periods in human ; from 2.5 weeks through 7 weeks of gestation. We believe that these results lead to the prevention of human ocular congenital anomalies.
We also clarified the role of hialuronic acid in the developmental process of the eyelids. We also found the delay in changes of main glycosaminoglycans in the eyelids of spontaneous small eye mice.
Clinically, we reviewed cases with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, Peters' anomaly and uveal coloboma encountered at our hospital. We warned that these ocular anomalies frequently accompanied other anomalies in the tissues derived from neural crest cells.
To prevent ocular anomalies, we are to investigate the role of programmed cell death and growth factors in the developmental process of the normal and malformed eye.