Figure 3.
Protein-protein interaction networks of 21 LSC marker genes by STRING analysis. By direct/indirect interactions with other LSC molecular markers, transcription factor SOX9, SMAD3 and PAX6 work together with other stem cell proteins Notch1 and ABCG2, may act as master regulators mediating the proliferation and differentiation of LSC, which is crucial for eye development and corneal surface regeneration.