Tissue culture of bovine lens as an in vitro model for posterior capsule opacification and the effects of pranoprofen on the cell confluence

Abstract

To establish an in vitro model of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) by culturing the posterior capsule of bovine lens, to observe the proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells and to study the influence of serum and pranoprofen eyedrops on cell confluence of this model. The bovine lens posterior capsule was spread on the surface of a 25 ml culture flask with cell layer upward. DMEM with 0%, 10% and 20% fetal calf serum was used as culture medium. The cell coverage and confluence time on the posterior capsule were observed by inverted microscope and the cell morphology was observed by Giemsa staining and scanning electron-microscope. Pranoprofen was added to the culture medium at a concentration similar to the aqueous humor concentration (0.23 mg/L), which was presented at 4 hours after the instillation of pranoprofen eyedrops. The difference of confluence time between the treated group and the control group was compared. The lens epithelial cells migrated and proliferated rapidly on the posterior capsule from the equatorial region to the center. The cell coverage was increased and the confluence time was shortened with the increase of serum concentration (P < 0.05). The PCO and wrinkles were presented. Pranoprofen at 0.23 mg/L could inhibit the confluence of lens epithelial cells (P < 0.01). The in vitro model for PCO was an useful method to study the mechanism of PCO formation. Pranoprofen can inhibit the proliferation of lens epithelial cells and is a safe and efficient drug for preventing the occurrence of PCO and can be used as a routine medication after the cataract operation.