title: Unfolded protein response activation in cataracts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the expression of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), 2 factors in the unfolded protein response (UPR), in age-related and diabetes-associated cataract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The qualitative and quantitative expression of GRP78 and ATF6 were measured in surgical samples from 11 senile cataracts, 9 diabetic-associated cataracts, and 3 normal lenses. Both proteins were detected by immunofluorescence and immunogold-conjugated antibodies. Quantitative morphometry was used to analyze the differences in GRP78 and ATF6 between samples. The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scanning electron microscopy showed the characteristic organization of fibers in normal lenses with regular alignment and interdigitation between them. On the other hand, lenses from eyes with senile or diabetic cataract showed the same pattern of misalignment and disorganization of the fibers. Both proteins were detected through immunofluorescence in senile and diabetic cataracts, but not in normal lenses. Immunogold-conjugated antibodies and transmission electron microscopy showed that GRP78 and ATF6 grains were 30% higher and 35% higher, respectively, in diabetic cataracts than in senile cataracts (P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show for the first time in humans that GRP78 and ATF6 are present in lens fibers of senile cataracts and diabetic cataracts, establishing that the UPR may be important in the process of cataractogenesis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: Beatriz E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Torres-Bernal
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: Luis Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Torres-Bernal
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rafael R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Campos
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Kershenobich Stalnikowitz
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: Luis Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barba-Gallardo
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arturo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Chayet
authors.affiliation: From Inova Vision Quirurgica (B.E. Torres-Bernal, L.F. Torres-Bernal), the Departamento de Química (Gutiérrez-Campos) and the Departamento de Morfología (Ventura-Juárez), Centro de Ciencias Básicas, the Departamento de Optometría (Barba-Gallardo) and Departamento de Cirurgia (L.F. Torres-Bernal), Centro de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (Kershenobich Stalnikowitz), Mexico City, and CODET (Chayet), Vision Institute, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Electronic address: jventur@correo.uaa.mx.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ventura-Juárez
mesh_terms: D051702:Activating Transcription Factor 6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D066329:Protein Aggregates; D011489:Protein Denaturation
chemical_list: C497111:ATF6 protein, human; D051702:Activating Transcription Factor 6; D000091342:Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; C000717247:HSPA5 protein, human; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D066329:Protein Aggregates