Author/Authors :
Nikravesh, Mohammad Reza Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Jalali, Mehdi Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Mohammadi, Shabnam Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Moeen, Abbas Ali Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol , Karimfar, Mohammad Hassan Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin , Saeidi Nejat, Shahin School of Health - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Rafighdoost, Houshang Department of Anatomy - School of Medicine - Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan
Abstract :
Objective(s)
Extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM) play important roles in many developmental
processes during development and after birth. Among the components of the BM, collagen fibers specially
type IV are the most important parts. The aim of this study was to determine the time when collagen type IV
appears in the BM of lens structure during mouse embryonic development.
Materials and Methods
In this experimental study, 22 female Balb/C mice were randomly selected and were kept under normal
condition, finding vaginal plug was assumed as day zero of pregnancy. From embryonic day 10 to 20, all
specimens were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and their heads were fixed, serially sectioned and
immunohistochemistry study for tracing collagen type IV in lens were carried out.
Results
Our data revealed that collagen type IV appeared at the early stage of gestation day 12 in BM of anterior
epithelial lens cells and the amount of this protein gradually increased until days 15-17 in ECM and posterior
capsule epithelium. After this period, severe reaction was not observed in any part of the lens.
Conclusion
These findings establish the important role of collagen IV in developing optic cup and any changes during
critical period of pregnancy may be result in severe visual system defect
