p53 expression and apoptosis in the lens after ultraviolet radiation exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To localize p53 protein and active caspase-3 in the albino rat lens and to compare p53 mRNA and active caspase-3 expression in ultraviolet radiation (UVR) 300 nm exposed lenses and their contralateral nonexposed controls.


METHODS
Ten Sprague-Dawley albino rats were unilaterally exposed to 8 kJ/m(2) UVR, and the contralateral eyes were left nonexposed. In total, four exposed lenses and their respective contralateral nonexposed lenses were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to localize p53 and active caspase-3. In addition, six exposed and contralateral nonexposed lenses were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Quantified p53 and caspase-3 expression were compared between the in vivo UVR 300 nm exposed lenses and the contralateral nonexposed lenses.


RESULTS
All lenses exposed to UVR developed cataract. Immunohistochemistry showed that p53 and active caspase-3 were localized in the lens epithelial cells. Quantified p53 and caspase-3 expression were significantly higher in lenses exposed to UVR than in nonexposed lenses.


CONCLUSIONS
p53 and caspase-3 expression increase in lens epithelial cells after UVR exposure. In the lens, apoptosis induced by UVR may be associated with increased p53 expression.
Ayala
Marcelo
M
Eye Department, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. marcelo.ayala@ste.ki.se
Strid
Hilja
H
Jacobsson
Ulrika
U
Söderberg
Per G
PG
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D053148:Caspase 3