Data from: The core planar cell polarity gene, Vangl2, directs adult corneal epithelial cell alignment and migration

This study shows that the core planar cell polarity (PCP) genes direct the
aligned cell migration in the adult corneal epithelium, a stratified
squamous epithelium on the outer surface of the vertebrate eye. Expression
of multiple core PCP genes was demonstrated in the adult corneal
epithelium. PCP components were manipulated genetically and
pharmacologically in human and mouse corneal epithelial cells in vivo and
in vitro. Knockdown of VANGL2 reduced the directional component of
migration of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells without affecting speed.
It was shown that signalling through PCP mediators, dishevelled,
dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis and Rho-associated
protein kinase directs the alignment of HCE cells by affecting
cytoskeletal reorganization. Cells in which VANGL2 was disrupted tended to
misalign on grooved surfaces and migrate across, rather than parallel to
the grooves. Adult corneal epithelial cells in which Vangl2 had been
conditionally deleted showed a reduced rate of wound-healing migration.
Conditional deletion of Vangl2 in the mouse corneal epithelium ablated the
normal highly stereotyped patterns of centripetal cell migration in vivo
from the periphery (limbus) to the centre of the cornea. Corneal opacity
owing to chronic wounding is a major cause of degenerative blindness
across the world, and this study shows that Vangl2 activity is required
for directional corneal epithelial migration.