Bves is expressed in the epithelial components of the retina, lens, and cornea.

PURPOSE To demonstrate the expression pattern and subcellular localization of Bves/Pop1a protein, a newly identified cell adhesion molecule, during eye development and corneal regeneration. METHODS Staged embryonic and adult eyes were assayed using fluorescence immunohistochemistry to detect the Bves protein. A human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was used as a model to examine Bves localization during corneal growth and regeneration, with and without antisense morpholino treatment. RESULTS The data detail the expression and localization of Bves protein before, during, and after differentiation of the eye. In these analyses, Bves was localized to an apical-lateral position in the initial epithelial primordia of the eye. Later, Bves became localized to specific cell types and subcellular domains in the retina, lens, and cornea, indicating changes in Bves expression in the differentiated eye. Finally, an in vitro model of corneal wound healing showed that Bves staining was missing at the epithelial surface during cellular migration across the wound, but it reappeared at points of cell contact during the reinitiation of epithelial continuity. When epithelial sheets were treated with Bves antisense morpholinos to inhibit Bves function, disruption of epithelial integrity was observed. After injury, similar treatment resulted in an acceleration of cell movement at the wound surface but regeneration of an intact epithelium was ultimately impeded. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these studies suggest that Bves is expressed in epithelial elements of the developing eye and may have a role in corneal epithelial growth and regeneration.