title: Extracellular matrix production of lens epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine extracellular matrix (ECM) production of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and their regulation by cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research Laboratory, International Intraocular Implant Training Center, Tianjin Medical University, People's Republic of China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bovine LECs were cultured with or without tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta2 (TGF-beta2). Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of ECM. The slides were quantified by computer analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laminin expression was increased by both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta2. The expression of type IV collagen at the mRNA level was upregulated by TNF-alpha and TGF-beta2. Its protein expression was promoted by only TNF-alpha.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Type IV collagen and laminin are the main components of the lens capsule. Their production of LECs could be increased by cytokines derived from the aqueous humor or LECs. This may lead to ECM deposition and capsule fibrosis during the development of posterior capsule opacification.
authors.affiliation: International Intraocular Implant Training Centre, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China. tjzhxh@fm365.com
authors.forename: X H
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: J Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007797:Laminin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D007797:Laminin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003094:Collagen