Differentiation marker and differentiation control of eye cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a differentiation marker and a differentiation controlling technique for an eye cell. More particularly, the present invention has attained an object of providing a differentiation marker for an eye cell among the aforementioned problems, by providing a marker for identifying a cell having a high proliferation ability among corneal endothelial cells and/or the differentiation ability of a corneal endothelial cell, the marker comprising GPR49/LGR5, as well as a detection agent or detection method for identifying a cell having a high proliferation ability among corneal endothelial cells and/or the differentiation ability of a corneal endothelial cell, comprising a substance binding to GPR49/LGR5. In addition, the present invention has attained an object of providing a differentiation controlling technique for an eye cell, by providing an agent for suppressing differentiation and/or promoting proliferation of an eye cell, comprising R-spondins.

1 )- 11 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         12 ) A method for treating a corneal endothelial cell disorder or preventing the progression of a corneal endothelial cell disorder in a subject, comprising administering one or more R-spondins or a functional equivalent thereof to the subject. 
     
     
         13 )- 37 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         38 ) The method according to claim  1 , wherein the R-spondins comprise one or more R-spondins selected from R-spondin 1, R-spondin 2, R-spondin 3, R-spondin 4 and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 ) The method according to claim  1 , wherein the R-spondins comprise R-spondin 1.