Abstract
Background After cataract surgery, some lens epithelial cells (LECs) transdifferentiate into myofibroblast-like cells, which causes fibric posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Residual LECs differentiate into lens fiber cells, forming Elschnig pearls with PCO. This study was carried out to identify the time course of both types of LEC behavior in rabbit eyes following lens extraction and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). Methods Phacoemulsification and implantation of posterior chamber IOLs were performed in rabbit eyes. Following enucleation, immunohistochemical methods were used to detect α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for myofibroblast-like cells, in the pseudophakic rabbit eyes. A mouse monoclonal antibody against α-SMA was used. Results Soon after the operation, the LECs migrated and covered the lens capsule. Thereafter, the LECs around the anterior capsular margin were always positive for α-SMA. However, the distributions of these cells were not consistent. In some specimens, α-SMA-positive LECs were present around the IOL optic early after surgery, but most of them had disappeared several weeks after the surgery. The residual cells induced fibrotic PCO. In the other specimens, most LECs around the IOL optic except the anterior capsular margin were negative for α-SMA. In the peripheral region covered by the peripheral anterior and posterior capsules, LECs on the posterior capsule always differentiated into lens fiber cells and formed a Soemmering ring. Thereafter, migration of lens fiber cells from the Soemmering ring and differentiation of LECs in situ on the central posterior capsule consisted of Elschnig pearls type of PCO. Conclusions Although postoperative LEC behavior is not consistent, residual α-SMA-positive LECs induced fibrotic PCO. The lens fiber cells that migrated from the peripheral capsular bag or that were differentiated in situ covered the central posterior capsule, forming Elschnig pearls with PCO.
Highlights
Some lens epithelial cells (LECs) that differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells, which can be recognized by the presence of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), cause fibrotic posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and contraction of the lens capsule [2,3,4]. is directly causes visual disturbances [2,3,4] and postoperative complications such as narrowing of the anterior capsular opening [25, 26]. e other LECs that differentiate into lens fiber cells, which are negative for α-SMA, form a Soemmering ring and an Elschnig pearls type of PCO [1, 12]
In the peripheral space without intraocular lens (IOL) optics, the inner surfaces of the peripheral anterior and posterior capsules were always covered by a monolayer of LECs. ese peripheral capsules were attached to each other like a zipper, with the associated LECs staining negative for α-SMA (Figures 2(a) and 2(c))
The specimens could be divided into two groups according to the distribution pattern of the α-SMApositive LECs around the IOL optics, which is consistent with a previous study by Matsushima et al [18]
Summary
Some lens epithelial cells (LECs) transdifferentiate into myofibroblast-like cells, which causes fibric posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Residual LECs differentiate into lens fiber cells, forming Elschnig pearls with PCO. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for myofibroblast-like cells, in the pseudophakic rabbit eyes. Most LECs around the IOL optic except the anterior capsular margin were negative for α-SMA. In the peripheral region covered by the peripheral anterior and posterior capsules, LECs on the posterior capsule always differentiated into lens fiber cells and formed a Soemmering ring. Ereafter, migration of lens fiber cells from the Soemmering ring and differentiation of LECs in situ on the central posterior capsule consisted of Elschnig pearls type of PCO. E lens fiber cells that migrated from the peripheral capsular bag or that were differentiated in situ covered the central posterior capsule, forming Elschnig pearls with PCO Postoperative LEC behavior is not consistent, residual α-SMApositive LECs induced fibrotic PCO. e lens fiber cells that migrated from the peripheral capsular bag or that were differentiated in situ covered the central posterior capsule, forming Elschnig pearls with PCO
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