Table 2. mRNA expression patterns of nuclear receptors, enzymes, and binding proteins of the retinoid pathways in human adult cornea and conjunctiva

The expression patterns were determined by RT-PCR on total mRNA extracted from corneal and conjunctival tissues using specific primers. Positive controls (36B4) were performed under the same conditions using specific primers for the housekeeping gene 36B4 (219 base pairs). Negative controls (NC) were performed in the absence of an oligonucleotide or a matrix. Abbreviations are: ADH: alcohol dehydrogenase; CRABP: cellular retinoic acid binding protein; CRBP: cellular retinol binding protein; CYP26: inducible cytochrome p450 retinoic acid; DHRS: short chain dehydrogenase/reductase; EPIM: 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; RARA: retinoic acid receptor α; RARB: retinoic acid receptor β; RARG: retinoic acid receptor γ; RALDH: retinaldehyde dehydrogenase; RODH4: microsomol NAD sup+-dependent retinol dehydrogenase 4; RXRA: retinoid X receptor α; RXRB: retinoid X receptor β; RXRG: retinoid X receptor γ.