A genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to ultraviolet light among recombinant SWXJ inbred strains of mice

PURPOSE: To examine a possible genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to UV-B light exposure. METHODS: To this end, adult male mice from the 14 SWXJ recombinant inbred albino strains (originating from SJL/J and SWR/J parental strains) were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure of 0.078 J/cm2 and photographed four days post-exposure, to assess corneal opacity and the possible correlation with corneal aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and soluble protein content. RESULTS: Those recombinant strains that exhibited the SWR/J strain phenotype of having low levels of ALDH and decreased soluble protein levels also exhibited greater levels of corneal clouding after UV-exposure than the other strains, which exhibited "normal" levels of both ALDH activity and soluble protein in the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: These data support an hypothesis for a major role for ALDH in assisting the cornea to protect the eye against UV-induced tissue damage.