Title:

Manipulation of PDE4 and cAMP in P. waltl Ocular Lens Regeneration

Pleurodeles waltl, commonly referred to as the Iberian Ribbed Newt is found off of the coast of the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Morocco. These animals are capable of undergoing a special case of whole organ regeneration following the complete removal of their optical lens. P. waltl preforms this form of regeneration through re-identification of dorsal iris pigmented epithelial cells (IPE) into lens cells to create a vesicle which branches off from the dorsal iris. This vesicle will then pack with crystalline fibers, and after complete regeneration, the newly formed lens detaches from the dorsal iris to resume is free floating position within the ocular space. Understanding this unique process allows for applications in biomedical contexts in diseases and disabilities surrounding sight as around 50% of people over the age of 80 in the United States of America currently have or have previously had cataracts, which is caused by a distinct clouding of the lens. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) categorizes ”Vision” as one of the top 10 disability categories making his a pressing issue. Through treatment of antagonistic drugs targeting the involvement of cAMP and PDE4 in their respective biological pathways, it allows for distinction of pathways and potential cell types involved in this specific form of optical lens regeneration. P. waltl was treated with PDE4 and cAMP antagonistic drugs for 16 days to illustrate their involvement in the regenerative process. Results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference found in the regenerated size of the lens vesicle when compared to that of the DMSO control indicating potential lack of active involvement of PDE4 and cAMP in regeneration.

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