Lens epithelial cell regeneration of a capsule-like structure during postoperative healing in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether lens epithelial cells (LECs) can regenerate the lens capsule during healing after lens extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.


METHODS
Extracapsular lens extraction and IOL implantation were performed in 5 adult albino rabbits. Lens capsules were examined histologically and immunohistochemically 3 and 5 months later.


RESULTS
Lens epithelial cells proliferated and regenerated lens fibers within the capsular bag. A multilayered homogenous capsule-like structure was present in the equatorial region. The structures contained type IV collagen but not type I collagen.


CONCLUSIONS
Lens epithelial cells can regenerate lens capsule-like structures during healing after lens extraction. Postoperative LECs without phenotypic conversion to a fibroblastic type may produce this structure.
Saika
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan. shizuya@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Miyamoto
T
T
Ishida
I
I
Okada
Y
Y
Ohnishi
Y
Y
Ooshima
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003094:Collagen