Histopathologic study of lens epithelial cells in different types of cataracts

Abstract

Background Cataract was directly associated with the damage to the structure and function of lens epithelial cells (LECs).In those patients who suffer from cataracts,morphologic changes of LECs is the most compelling evidence confirming loss of cellular structure and function of LECs.So,learning about the morphological changes of LECs of the different types of cataracts is very important for study on biological behaviors of LECs in different environments or diseases.Objective This study was to evaluate the morphological and ultrastructural changes of the LECs in different types of cataracts.Methods Anterior capsular member from age-related cataracts,diabetic cataracts and high myopia complicated cataract were obtained during the cataract surgery and 15 pieces for each.Trypan blue and alizarin red (TB-AR) stain,haematoxylin and eosin stain were performed in the samples to assess the viability and morphology of LECs.The ultrastructural change of LECs was observed under the transmission electron microscope.The features of the LECs were compared among the different types of cataract.Results TB-AR stain showed that LECs were polygon in shape with the mosaic arrangement and round cell nucleus,and a few dead cells were seen in the samples age-related cataract.In the diabetic samples,LECs largened from swelling with different sizes.More dead cells were found in the high myopia complicated cataract.Haematoxylin and eosin stain exhibited that the anterior capsular membrane presented a homogeneuous membrane,and monolayer LECs attached firmly anterior capsular membrane in the samples of related cataract.Majority of the cells had the intact structure.However,the interspaces between cells and capsular membrane were found in diabetic cataract.Also,smaller LECs were seen in high myopia complicated cataract with the irregular cell morphology.Under the transmission electron microscope,LECs presented the normal shape,intact intercellular tight junction and well attachment between cells and capsular membrane in the samples of the age-related cataract.In the samples of the diabetic cataract,edema of LECs and large intercellular spaces were seen.In addition,the jogged pump and vacuolar degeneration of cytoplasm were revealed in the high myopia complicated cataract.Conclusions The degeneration,necrosis and apoptosis was a common pathological basis of age-related cataract,diabetic cataract and high myopia complicated cataract.However,the damage of LECs was more serious in diabetic cataract and high myopia complicated cataract than that of agerelated cataract. Key words: Lens; Epithelial cell; Trypan blue and alizarin red stain; Haematoxylin and eosin stain; Ultrastructure