Klf5 contributes to corneal epithelial homeostasis by regulating the expression of desmogleins and desmoplakin.

<p>(A) Immunofluorescence shows abundant expression of desmogleins (red, panel ii) and desmoplakin (red, panel v) in the WT but not in the <i>Klf5</i>CN corneal epithelium (panels iii and vi, respectively). Sections processed in a similar manner but without the primary antibody served as negative controls (panels i and iv). Scale bars = 25 µm. (B) Relative activities of 2 kb <i>Dsg1a</i>, <i>Dsg1b</i> and <i>Dsp</i> promoter fragments measured by transient co-transfection assays with or without Klf4, Klf5, or both in NCTC cells. Error bars indicate Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Data are representative of three independent experiments.