Figure 1

Neural crest (NC)-derived cells contribute to ocular development. (a) Toluidine blue staining of an adult eye. The boxed areas correspond to (b) a detailed view of the corneal assembly, including outer epithelium, stroma, and inner endothelium, and (c) the chamber angle at the irido-corneal transition which includes the trabecular meshwork (tm). (d-j) In vivo fate mapping of NC-derived, β-galactosidase (βGal)-expressing cells (blue) reveals (d) the NC origin of corneal keratocytes (arrows) and of corneal endothelium (arrowhead). (e) Structures of the chamber angle, including the trabecular meshwork are seen to be NC-derived. (f) At E10, the optic cup is surrounded by NC-derived cells expressing βGal. (g-i) The majority of the cells in the periocular mesenchyme (arrows), which forms the anterior eye segment, are of NC origin, as assessed from E11.5 to E13.5. (j) The primary vitreous at E13.5 (arrowheads) shows a strong NC contribution.