Optimal Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation Is Dependent on the Connexin Isoform Providing Gap Junctional Coupling

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Abstract
Purpose. Gap junctions between epithelial cells are essential for normal lens growth. In mice, knockout of Cx50 or targeted replacement of Cx50 with Cx46 (knockin) caused smaller lenses because of decreased epithelial cell proliferation. However, it remains unclear whether Cx50 functionally contributes to lens epithelial coupling during maximal proliferation on postnatal day 2 (P2) and P3. To determine which connexins functionally contribute to epithelial cell coupling and proliferation, junctional coupling from epithelial cells of wild-type and knockin mice was examined.