# Lens ectoderm-derived Wnt signaling regulates eye development

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $353,565

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Failure of lens vesicle closure leads to an incomplete separation of the lens and cornea, a hallmark of the
Peters anomaly. Defective ciliary margin development underlies aniridia, which is characterized by the
absence of the iris in patients. These debilitating congenital diseases underscore the importance of anterior
segment development. As the focal point of the visual system, the lens is well position to interact with the
cornea in the anterior and the retina in the posterior. Although many growth factors have been implicated in
lens development, how these factors interact to orchestrate the precise developmental program is still poorly
understood. As these signaling molecules are also involved in numerous human diseases in the rest of the
eye, investigation of these signaling pathways could potentially lead to better understanding and treatment of
ocular diseases. In this project, we will focus on the role of Wnt ligands produced by the lens ectoderm during
eye development. Combining biochemical and genetic approaches, we will investigate the regulation of Wnt
signaling within the lens ectoderm. Furthermore, we will examine how Wnt and FGF signaling interacts during
the closure of the lens vesicle. Finally, we will investigate how lens ectoderm-derived Wnt ligands act together
with the retinal FGF signaling to pattern the ciliary margin in the distal retina. Signaling control of tissue
interactions is fundamental to development and homeostasis of biological systems. Our study of signaling
crosstalk may have significant impact beyond the vision research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10259754
- **Project number:** 5R01EY025933-07
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Xin Zhang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $353,565
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-07-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10259754

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10259754, Lens ectoderm-derived Wnt signaling regulates eye development (5R01EY025933-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10259754. Licensed CC0.

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