[Effect of lymphocyte-conditioned medium on expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin in lens epithelium cells in situ].
OBJECTIVE
Contraction of the capsule of the ocular lens is based upon proliferation and contraction of transformed lens epithelial cells. It is assumed that these processes can be assisted by postoperative intraocular inflammation. Previously, we reported that lens epithelial cell proliferation is enhanced by lymphocyte-conditioned medium (LCM). In this study we investigated the effect of LCM as well as of a culture medium conditioned by pigmented ciliary epitheilal cells (CBCM) on the expression of the smooth-muscle alpha-actin of the contractile cytoskeletal elements.


METHODS
Explants of the anterior lens capsule of freshly enucleated bovine eyes were cultured in serum-free LCM and CBCM for 3 days, followed by fixation. Smooth-muscle alpha-actin was identified by indirect immunoflorescence. Explants cultured in serum-free bFGF-containing and TGF-beta containing medium served as control.


RESULTS
Lens epithelial cells expressed smooth-muscle alpha-actin under the influence of LCM or TGF-beta. No smooth muscle alpha-actin could be detected under the influence of CBCM or bFGF.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that secreted molecules of activated lymphocytes are able to induce the transformation of lens epithelial cells into contractile myofibroblasts and may be involved in the post-operative contraction of lens capsules.
Wunderlich
K
K
Abteilung I, Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen.
Knorr
M
M
Northoff
H
H
Thiel
H J
HJ
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D000199:Actins; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned