[The ultrastructure of human and mouse cataractous lens epithelial cell apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the relation between human senile cataract, mouse congenital cataract and lens epithelial cell apoptosis.


METHODS
Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the apoptotic morphology of the lens epithelial cells in 4 cases with senile cataract and in 2 mice with congenital cataract. The comparisons were made between the cataractous and normal transparent lens epithelial cells in human being and mice.


RESULTS
The apoptotic cells were found in senile cataract and mouse congenital cataract lens epithelial cells, while in all control lens epithelial cells they were few.


CONCLUSIONS
Lens epithelial cells apoptosis is related to senile cataract and mouse congenital cataract formation.
Chen
F
F
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing 100005, China.
Chen
C
C
Song
X
X
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged