With its optical clarity as a key feature, the lens is a key element in the complex vision field, allowing us to accurately perceive the world around us. Maintaining this optical clarity of core core conjunctive proteins (CXS), the essential molecules curated communications in lens cells. Recently, researchers have launched a groundbreaking protocol to change the function of conjunctive protein hemichannels (HCS) in primary chicken microscope cells. By applying the avian sarcoma virus, this innovative program provides insights into potential enhancement of lens health enhancement. The protocol marks a promising advancement in understanding the complex mechanisms of transparency, promising eye elasticity and vision clarity.
Principal investigators Jean Jiang and Yu du joined with colleagues from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dr. Francisca Acosta, Jianping Zhang, Yuxin Tong, Yumeng Quan and Sumin Gu. They dissected lenses from chick embryos and extracted lens fibroblasts. They then incubated live lens fibroblasts until the cells were ready to be infected by the avian sarcoma virus, thereby altering semi-just expression of CX50, and then confirmed activation of HC in the lens cells. Finally, they identified cell death and performed statistical analysis. Their work was published in the peer-reviewed Diary Star Agreement.
The protocol, from egg incubation to cell processing and assays and a careful overview of statistical analysis, provides a glimpse of the repair mechanisms to maintain lens transparency. In addition to elucidation, it is expected to evaluate factors related to lens fibroblast metabolism, which is essential for shielding lens fibroblasts from oxidative stress and represents the basis for future research on lens health. Through their efforts, we embark on a journey of clearer vision and enhanced eye elasticity. “This protocol involves altering CX50 HC expression using primary lens cells and testing H2o2 treat. It is worth noting that the gap junction (GJ) function cannot be detected due to the cell morphology and growth pattern of this setting. This protocol allows the study of the function of HCS and can detect apoptosis/necrosis in lens fibroblasts, as well as intracellular glutathione (GSH) changes caused by changes in HCS function,” Yu du Du noted. In summary, the principal investigator Dr. Jiang and Yudu and colleagues began to look for the key role of ligands in maintaining lens transparency and maintaining vision clarity. Through detailed experiments, they developed a manipulation in chicken mirror cells using avian sarcoma virus. The conjunctin hemichannel scheme. Their perseverance has produced valuable insights into lens health enhancement strategies, and their work not only illuminates the complex mechanisms of transparency transparency, but also suggests potential pathways to combat oxidative stress. When we unwrap When these mysteries are met, their journey offers hope for clearer vision and enhanced eye health.
Journal Reference
Yu du, Francisca M. Acosta, Jianping Zhang et al. “Proposal to change the function of conjunctin hemichannels in primary chicken fibroblasts using high-crystalline retroviral RCA(A) infection.” Star Protocol, 2023.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102564.
About the Author
Dr. Jean X. Jiang
Professor and Chair of Cancer Research at Zachry Distinguished University
Vice Chairman, Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology
UT Health San Antonio
Dr. Jiang received his PhD in Biochemistry from SUNY in Biochemistry and received a postdoctoral training in Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. She has been a faculty member of UT Health San Antonio since 1997. Her main research projects focus on the development of conjunctive protein channels, cellular signaling mechanisms in various tissues and cells, and the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. Dr. Jiang has written more than 180 papers and owned multiple published and published patents. Her research has received funding from various federal and private institutions. She is a winner of the UT President of Health Distinguished Research Scholar Award and is an elected member of the American Association for Scientific Development (AAAS) and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Dr. Francisca M. Acosta
NIH NIDDK F32 Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology
UT Health San Antonio
Dr. Acosta graduated from Rice University’s Bachelor of Bioengineering (BS) in 2015 and then continued post-class training as part of the NIH University of Kansas Post-Balcal Long Research Training Program (KU Prep), San Antonio (San Antonio completed his PhD (Doctoral Degree) in May 2020 in a joint graduate program in biomedical engineering between the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) and UTHSA. Her research interests combine engineering, basic science and translation research fields of metabolism, musculoskeletal, diabetes, aging, cancer biology, and biomedical engineering/regenerative medicine.
Yu du, MD, PhD
researcher
Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology
UT Health San Antonio;
Attendant physician
Department of Ophthalmology
Lanzhou University Second Hospital and School of Clinical Medicine
Dr. Yu du graduated from Lanzhou University. He conducted joint doctoral training at the University of Texas Medical Health Center from September 2019 to September 2021; during this period, he systematically studied the lens cell junction protein gap junction channel in Dr. Jean X. Jiang’s lab /Hemichannels’ lens redox homeostasis regulation. He is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of various common ophthalmic diseases, mainly engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia, strabismus, optometry and low vision.
