Detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 alpha gene expression in human lens epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the gene expression of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in human lens epithelial cells (LECs) by in situ RNA hybridization.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology and Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.


METHODS
Anterior lens capsules with attached LECs were collected in RNase-free conditions from 10 consecutive patients during cataract surgery. Samples were then systematically analyzed by an in situ RNA-hybridization technique using specific gene probes for IL-1 alpha and TNF alpha, which were previously labeled with digoxigenin (DIG).


RESULTS
The LECs tested positive for DIG-labeled gene probes in the described conditions. One (10%) patient showed a clearly detectable IL-1 alpha gene expression, and 7 (70%) showed a widely positive reaction for TNF alpha mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The TNF alpha gene expression in LECs was more extended than that of IL-1 alpha in lens capsule samples from cataract surgery. Active synthesis of TNF alpha and IL-1 alpha may have consequences for postoperative inflammation and LEC proliferation.
Prada
J
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
Ngo-Tu
T
T
Baatz
H
H
Hartmann
C
C
Pleyer
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D005819:Genetic Markers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha