Effects of Elevated Insulin on Mouse Lens Development
Author Information
Author(s): Xie Leike, Chen Huiyi, Overbeek Paul A., Reneker Lixing W.
Primary Institution: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Hypothesis
How does elevated insulin signaling affect the growth and differentiation of the mouse lens?
Conclusion
Elevated insulin signaling disrupts normal lens development and fiber cell maturation without enhancing proliferation or differentiation.
Supporting Evidence
- Transgenic mice with elevated insulin levels developed cataracts.
- Insulin expression caused an anterior shift in the lens transitional zone.
- Fiber cell denucleation was impaired in insulin transgenic lenses.
- Phosphorylated ERK levels were increased in the transgenic lenses.
Takeaway
When mice have too much insulin in their eyes, their lenses don't grow or develop properly, leading to problems like cataracts.
Methodology
Transgenic mice were generated to overexpress insulin in the lens, and various analyses including RT-PCR, histology, and immunohistochemistry were performed.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on transgenic mice, which may not fully represent normal physiological conditions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
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