Figure 3. Smad3 gene deficiency does not alter the corneal epithelium. A: Smad3^+/+ naïve mouse corneal tissue; B: Smad3^−/− naïve mouse corneal tissue; C: Smad3^+/+ alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 0; D: Smad3^−/− alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 0; E: Smad3^+/+ alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 3; F: Smad3^−/− alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 3; G: Smad3^+/+ alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 21; and H: Smad3^−/− alkali-injured mouse corneal tissue at day 21. The gross examination shows no alteration in the corneal epithelium of both strains of Smad3^+/+ and Smad3^−/− naïve and alkali-injured corneas in a time-dependent manner. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.