MyoD is required for the differentiation of Myo/Nog cell progenitors of myofibroblasts in explants of human lens tissue

These results indicate that MyoD lies upstream of Myogenin, impacts Myf5 expression and is required for striated muscle myosin synthesis in Myo/Nog cells of the lens. Contractions that deform the anterior capsule are dependent on striated muscle myosin but not α-SMA. Overall, this study demonstrates that MyoD drives Myo/Nog cell differentiation to contractile myofibroblasts in primary cultures of human anterior lens tissue. While this study defines an obligatory mechanism for Myo/Nog cell differentiation, the resulting increase in the progenitor population indicates that temporary knockdown of MyoD is not a therapeutic option for preventing of PCO.