Immunolocalization of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in rabbit lens epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To localize the enzyme prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the crystalline lens and determine the ability of lens epithelial cells (LECs) to synthesize procollagen.


METHODS
Research laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, Wakayama, Japan.


METHODS
Phacoemulsification and aspiration of the crystalline lens followed by implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens (IOL) were performed in 1 eye each of 6 albino rabbits; the eye was enucleated 1 or 2 months later. Crystalline lenses were also extracted from the eyes of 2 rabbits. These samples were processed for immunohistochemical detection of the alpha- and beta-subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase.


RESULTS
A monolayer of LECs was detected on the inner surface of the intact anterior capsule. Antibodies directed against both subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase reacted strongly to LECs proliferating on capsules with IOLs, whereas little or no reaction was observed in quiescent LECs or in the regenerated lenticular structure.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in LECs proliferating on the inner surface of the lens capsule suggests that these cells are involved in the production of procollagen and fibrosis during capsular injury and repair. Suppression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase activity may prevent the capsule opacification that results from cataract removal and IOL implantation.
Saika
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0527, USA.
Kawashima
Y
Y
Miyamoto
T
T
Tanaka
S
S
Okada
Y
Y
Yamanaka
O
O
Katoh
T
T
Ohnishi
Y
Y
Ohmi
S
S
Ooshima
A
A
Yamanaka
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000201:enzymology; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism; D011393:Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits
D011347:Procollagen; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011393:Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase