Effect of Vitamin D Receptor Knockout on Cornea Epithelium Wound Healing and Tight Junctions

Purpose.: Our laboratory previously determined that vitamin D3, the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and 1α hydroxylase are present and active in the eye. In this study, we examined the effects of VDR knockout on wound healing, the tight junction–associated proteins occludin and ZO-1, and tight junction numbers in mouse corneas. Methods.: Epithelial wounds (2-mm) were made with an agar brush on 4-week-old and 10-week-old wild-type, heterozygous, and...