Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The lens is a crystallin tissue of the anterior part of the eye that focuses light onto the
retina. Aged-related cataract, which is the result of loss of lens transparency, is the most
common cause of blindness in the world. Being constantly exposed to UV-light, lens is
significantly affected by its UVA spectrum. UV-light exposure has been shown to result
in apoptosis of lens cells which can lead to cataract formation. This suggests the need for
molecular mechanisms to remove apoptotic debris from the lens. In the set of
experiments it was proven that integrin αvβ5-mediated pathway is involved in
phagocytosis of apoptotic cell debris in the ocular lens, thus contributing to its
homeostasis. Additionally, it was shown that exposure to UV-light plays role in cataract
formation by influencing integrin αvβ5-mediated phagocytosis function.
retina. Aged-related cataract, which is the result of loss of lens transparency, is the most
common cause of blindness in the world. Being constantly exposed to UV-light, lens is
significantly affected by its UVA spectrum. UV-light exposure has been shown to result
in apoptosis of lens cells which can lead to cataract formation. This suggests the need for
molecular mechanisms to remove apoptotic debris from the lens. In the set of
experiments it was proven that integrin αvβ5-mediated pathway is involved in
phagocytosis of apoptotic cell debris in the ocular lens, thus contributing to its
homeostasis. Additionally, it was shown that exposure to UV-light plays role in cataract
formation by influencing integrin αvβ5-mediated phagocytosis function.
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