Transcription activation in lens epithelial cells after anterior capsule rubbing in rats. expression of c-Fos.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether lens epithelial cells (LECs) are transcriptionally activated after a foreign body is attached to the anterior lens surface.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan.


METHODS
One eye of adult Wistar rats (N = 32) was used. After the anterior capsule of the lens was rubbed with a dull 27-gauge needle 10 times, the eye was enucleated immediately (within 1 minute) or at 30 minutes or 1, 3, or 5 hours. The 32 globes were immunohistochemically analyzed using anti-c-Fos and anti-c-Jun antibodies.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry showed that normal LECs lacked immunoreactivity for c-Fos or c-Jun. The c-Fos protein was localized in the nuclei of LECs in the equatorial region of the injured lens 3 hours after treatment and was not detected thereafter. The c-Jun protein was not detected at any interval.


CONCLUSIONS
The protein c-Fos was transiently expressed in equatorial LECs after the anterior lens capsule was rubbed, indicating that equatorial LECs are transcriptionally activated by minor mechanical stimuli to the anterior lens surface.
Shirai
Kumi
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan. shirai@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Saika
Shizuya
S
Okada
Yuka
Y
Senba
Emiko
E
Ohnishi
Yoshitaka
Y
D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism*; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014110:Touch; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun