Smarce1 and Tensin 4 Are Putative Modulators of Corneoscleral Stiffness

The biomechanical properties of the cornea and sclera are important in onset progression multiple ocular pathologies vary substantially between individuals, yet source this variation remains unknown. Here we identify genes putatively regulating corneoscleral tissue by conducting high-fidelity compliance measurements across BXD recombinant inbred mouse set performing quantitative trait analysis. We find seven cis-eQTLs non-synonymous SNPs associating with compliance, show RT-qPCR immunolabeling that only two candidate genes, Smarce1 Tns4 , showed significant expression corneal scleral tissues. Both have mechanistic potential to influence development and/or regulation material properties. This work motivates further study for their role(s) pathology involving envelope as well novel models pathophysiology, such myopia glaucoma.