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(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2000;41:1122-1129.)
© 2000 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression in Cultured Lens Epithelial Cells

Toshiyuki Nagamoto1,2, Goro Eguchi1,3 and David C. Beebe2

1 From the Division of Morphogenesis, Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan; 2 Cataract Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; and 3 Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.

PURPOSE. Lens epithelial cells transdifferentiate to myofibroblasts during the formation of anterior subcapsular cataracts and secondary cataracts. One of the defining characteristics of myofibroblasts is the expression of {alpha}-smooth muscle actin ({alpha}-SMA). This study investigated some of the factors that influence {alpha}-SMA expression in lens epithelial cells.

METHODS. Bovine, rabbit, and human lens epithelial explants or cells were cultured with or without serum. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to detect and quantitate {alpha}-SMA expression.

RESULTS. Cells from all species studied expressed {alpha}-SMA in primary explant culture with or without serum. Immunostaining for {alpha}-SMA first appeared in a diffuse granular pattern, then accumulated at the cell cortex, and eventually was detected along stress fibers. When lens epithelial cells migrated onto cell-free regions of the capsule or were transferred to a plastic culture dish, {alpha}-SMA expression increased significantly. Expression of {alpha}-SMA positively correlated with cell size and cell migration.

CONCLUSIONS. Expression of {alpha}-SMA is a common feature of cultured mammalian lens epithelial cells. Because {alpha}-SMA expression occurred without the addition of exogenous factors, the fibrosis seen in anterior subcapsular cataracts or secondary cataracts may reflect the intrinsic properties of lens epithelial cells. Interaction between lens epithelial cells and their substratum appears to be an important regulator of myofibroblast formation. Understanding the factors that regulate {alpha}-SMA expression in lens epithelial cells could lead to the development of methods for preventing secondary cataracts and anterior subcapsular cataracts.




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