Figure 6. Regulation of the endothelial to mesenchymal transition in the mouse corneal endothelium in vivo. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) induced by surgical injury activates FGF2 expression. The endothelial to mesenchymal transition is mediated through Snai1, Zeb1 and Cdk2 pathways, leading to the expression of fibrosis- and proliferation-related genes resulting in the formation of the retrocorneal membrane (RCM).