Protein expression of selected limbal transcripts in human ocular tissue.

<p>A) Minimal expression of PITX2 was observed in the cornea. B) Distinct PITX2 cytoplasmic expression was present in pockets within the basal layer and suprabasal layer of the limbal epithelium. Insert highlights both PITX2 cytoplasmic and nuclear localization in the basal epithelial cells. Thin arrows indicate cells with PITX2 nuclear localization. C) Minimal expression of PITX2 was also observed in the conjunctiva. D) Weak expression of FZD7 was detected in the basal layer of the cornea. E) Highly localized FZD7 expression was observed at the basal layer of the limbal epithelium. F) We observed low expression in the suprabasal and superficial layers of the conjunctiva for FZD7. G) Minimal expression of TNC was observed in the cornea, while distinct expression was present in the subepithelial stroma along the limbus (H). (I) We detected minor expression of TNC in the suprabasal and superficial layers of the conjunctiva. Thick arrows represent examples of superficial epithelial cells and arrowheads represent examples of basal epithelial cells in the limbus. Scale bar, 50 µm.