Purpose
Age-related changes in lens mechanical properties have been implicated in the pathogenesis of presbyopia. However, little is known about the biomolecular processes that drive lens stiffening. This study characterized the mechanical properties of mouse lenses to elucidate processes driving the development of lens stiffness and ultimately presbyopia.
Methods
Lenses of male C57BL/6 mice of varying ages were evaluated using a mechanical compression test. The loading protocol and analysis methods proposed by Fudge et al. (IOVS 52:3860-7, 2011) were used to estimate stiffness and resilience. In addition, digital photographs were taken every 15 microns of compression to determine the initial and loaded radius of the lens. Correlation of stiffness and resilience with age were evaluated using linear regression.
Results
Preliminary data analysis showed an increasing trend between age and stiffness as well as age and resilience. Due to limited sample size and narrow age range of sample population these trends did not reach a significant level. Stiffness and resilience both increased with age.
Conclusions
Determination of the mechanical properties of lenses as a function of age for C57BL/6 mice will serve as a basis for comparative studies with mutant and knockout mice derived from this strain.