Additionally, when only OM ears from Itga5+/+; Nischedsn/edsn and Itga5tm1Hyn/+; Nischedsn/edsn mice were compared (Fig 5L), there was a significant increase in mucosal thickness observed in Itga5tm1Hyn/+; Nischedsn/edsn mice (Itga5+/+; Nischedsn/edsn, 97.8 ± 12.12 μm, n = 8; Itga5tm1Hyn/+; Nischedsn/edsn, 137.9 ± 10.85 μm, n = 9; Kruskall-Wallis: p = 0.026). This evidence concerns the gene ITGA5 and ocular melanoma.