Extracellular matrix of opacified anterior capsule after endocapsular cataract surgery.
BACKGROUND
We determined the types and distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagens, in anterior capsular opacification after endocapsular phacoemulsification and aspiration (ECPEA) and intraocular lens implantation.


METHODS
Opacified anterior capsules were removed from human eyes after ECPEA. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine GAGs with monoclonal antibodies to chondroitin, chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S), dermatan sulfate (DS), and keratan sulfate (KS); collagens with monoclonal antibodies to types I, II, and III collagens; and cellular characteristics with monoclonal antibodies to vimentin, desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and cytokeratin. Decorin mRNA and type I collagen mRNA were detected by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
In the capsules, the C6S, DS, KS, and types I and III collagens were similar to the chemical components found at the adhesion site of the anterior and posterior capsules after extracapsular cataract extraction, and cellular components contained vimentin, desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, cytokeratin, decorin mRNA, and type I collagen mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The GAGs and collagens in opacified anterior capsule after ECPEA were similar to those found during wound healing, although KS is present in normal anterior segment tissue during development and only in the cornea postnatally. These chemical components may be produced by myofibroblast-like cells presumably transformed from lens epithelial cells.
Department of Ophthalmology, National Children's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. nazuma@nch.go.jp
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Hara
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Hara
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007632:Keratan Sulfate / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen; D007632:Keratan Sulfate