[Rat lens epithelial cell damage and cataract formation induced by immunological response to bovine lens membrane protein].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the correlation of cataractogenesis and immune mechanisms, we investigated the rat lens morphologically and immunologically.


RESULTS
Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Group A was immunized with bovine-lens membrane protein (B-LMP) and adjuvant, Group B was immunized with adjuvant only, and Group C was not given any treatment as a control. Titer levels of anti-B-LMP antibody and anti-Rat-LMP antibody were elevated and posterior subcapsular cataract was developed in Group A. In flat preparations, a noncellular part in the lens epithelium was observed in all members of Group A. In this noncellular part, a lens capsule protruding into the lens epithelial cell layer was observed by light microscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that lens epithelial cells may be damaged by immune response, causing the development of cataract.
Tanemoto
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan.
Sueno
T
T
Obazawa
H
H
Shinohara
T
T
Akatsuka
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D008565:Membrane Proteins