ATF4-deficient Adult Mice Displayed Microphthalmia due to Complete Absence of a Lens

ZHANG Sheng;LIN Xiao-lin;HE Fa-lian;PENG Shan;SHEN Hong-fen;Department of Cell Biology,School of Basic Medical Sciences,Southern Medical University;Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences,Southern Medical University;Zhongshan School of Medicine,Sun Yat-sen University;

ATF4;;gene knockout mouse;;lens;;microphthalmia

To determine the effects of ATF4 gene knockout(KO) on mouse eye development,gross observation of mouse eyes and histopathological analysis were used to explore the influences of ATF4 KO on eye development.We found that WT mice have normal eye size and organizational structure.Adult ATF4~(-/-) mice showed microphthalmia due to the complete absence of a lens.Choroid and retinal layers of ATF4~(-/-) eyes showed disorder hierarchy;cell number of ganglion cell layer of ATF4~(-/-) eyes was essentially normal,about 2 layers of cells,but the cells arranged neatly;the thickness of inner plexiform layer of ATF4~(-/-) eyes increased;cell layer of outer nuclear of ATF4~(-/-) eyes increased,and outer nuclear displayed loose structure,crack formation and cystic structure;the kernel cell layers of ATF4~(-/-) eyes reduced to about six to eight cell layer and showed mildly disorder cell arrangement.The whole retina of ATF4~(-/-) eyes locally formed papillae; ATF4~(-/-) eye choroid essentially normal,and didn't show the formation of the papillary ciliary processes.ATF4~(~(-/-)) eyes which had no vitreous were composed of fibrous connective tissue edema and multiple small blood vessels in the center.Adult ATF4-deficient mice display microphthalmia and abnormal eye structure.