title: Effects of calcium on human lens epithelial cells in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the effect of calcium on human lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro
  
  
  METHODS
  Human LECs were obtained from the anterior lens capsule during a cataract operation, and were cultured in minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 12% fetal bovine serum for a week at 37 degrees C, 5% CO(2). The LECs were then isolated with trypsin and placed in culture dishes. To analyze the effects of calcium, the LECs were incubated in MEM with calcium concentrations of 0, 2, 10, or 20 mM. After H&E staining for 72 h, the LECs were analyzed with the Scion imaging program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LECs proliferated rapidly and their shapes were uniform in 2-mM-calcium MEM. The LECs proliferated more slowly and had irregular shapes in MEM with lower and higher concentrations of calcium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium affects both the proliferation and the shape of human LECs in culture. Abnormal (hyper- or hypo-) calcium concentrations in the lens and aqueous humor may change the homeostasis of LECs, resulting in cataracts and secondary posterior capsular opacification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan. hiro@dokkyomed.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsushima
authors.forename: Kouichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mukai
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Obara
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium