Expression and effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on human cataract lens epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human ocular tissues, and to assess the effect of bFGF on the proliferation of human cataract lens epithelial cells (LECs) and its correlation with age.


METHODS
Enucleated eyes were subjected to immunostaining for bFGF protein. Human cataract LECs were cultured in vitro, and treated with bFGF for 48 hr. Proliferation was estimated by the positive area ratio of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
bFGF protein was found in various human ocular tissues. bFGF stimulated human cataract LEC proliferation, and there was an age-related decrease in responsiveness of human cataract LECs to bFGF (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
bFGF might play an important role in the proliferation of residual human cataract LECs after cataract surgery.
Shentu
Xingchao
X
Institute of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Yao
Ke
K
Sun
Chaohui
C
Xu
Wen
W
Wu
Renyi
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2