Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-beta1 and tenascin in human secondary cataract.
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein tenascin in secondary cataract and anterior subcapsular cataract.


METHODS
Twenty-four pseudophakic human eyes with secondary cataract, obtained at autopsy 1 d to 10 yr (mean 2.4 yr) after cataract surgery, were studied. Additionally, a specimen from an anterior subcapsular cataract was included. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize TGF-beta1 and tenascin in secondary cataract and in anterior subcapsular cataract.


RESULTS
Polyclonal antibody to TGF-beta1 immunolabelled spindle-shaped cells in the plaques of secondary cataract in all eyes. Instead, the cells present in Soemmering's ring cataract were not labelled. The ECM in the plaques of secondary cataract was immunoreactive for tenascin in all eyes. In anterior subcapsular cataract spindle-shaped cells and ECM showed similar immunoreactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Spindle-shaped cells that are immunolabelled with TGF-beta1 and ECM showing tenascin-like-immunoreactivity are present in secondary cataract and in anterior subcapsular cataract, thus implicating a possible role in secondary cataract.
Latvala
T
T
Oulu University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Finland. terho.latvala@oulu.fi
Uusitalo
M
M
Puolakkainen
P
P
Kivelä
T
T
Tervo
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D002102:Cadaver; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019063:Tenascin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D015415:Biomarkers; D005136:Eye Proteins; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D019063:Tenascin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1