Effect of surface coating an acrylic intraocular lens with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) polymer on lens epithelial cell line behavior

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of surface coating of an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (MPC) on the behavior of the lens epithelial cell (LEC) line, alpha-TN4. Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. A hydrophobic soft acrylic IOL (AF-1, Hoya) was coated with MPC polymer. A noncoated IOL served as control. An IOL from each group was placed on the membrane of collagen I or IV of the cell culture dish. The alpha-TN4 cells were seeded in the insert. Cell behaviors (ie, cell proliferation and spreading) on IOLs and membranes were observed. Cell migration beneath the IOL optic portion was assayed using a computer software program (POCOman system) for posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Type I or IV collagen is the major matrix component of PCO or native lens capsule. Cell proliferation was more marked on the noncoated IOL than on the coated IOL. Type IV collagen accelerated proliferation more than type I collagen. Cell migration to the area beneath the IOL optic was more prominent in the group with the type I collagen membrane and noncoated IOL than in other groups. Coating an acrylic IOL surface with MPC polymer suppressed adhesion and proliferation of LECs, suggesting it improves IOL biocompatibility.