These effects were associated with up-regulated expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3), CD44 molecule (CD44), E-cadherin (CDH1) and genes involved in keratinocyte (KC) differentiation (e.g., LCE1E, LCE3D, CERS3, SPRR3) [13]. The gene discussed is AQP3; the disease is keratoconus.