May 2005
Volume 46, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2005
Lithium Prevents TGFß–induced Aberrant Growth and Differentiation of Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells
S.K. Pandey; R.J. Stump; J.W. McAvoy; S. Ang; A.J. Maloof; E.J. Milverton
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • S.K. Pandey
    Intraocular Implant Unit,, Sydney Eye Hospital, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • R.J. Stump
    Discipline of Ophathlmology University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • J.W. McAvoy
    Discipline of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Anatomy & Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • S. Ang
    Discipline of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • A.J. Maloof
    Intraocular Implant Unit,, Sydney Eye Hospital, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • E.J. Milverton
    Intraocular Implant Unit,, Sydney Eye Hospital, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  S.K. Pandey, None; R.J. Stump, None; J.W. McAvoy, None; S. Ang, None; A.J. Maloof, None; E.J. Milverton, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NIH Grant
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2005, Vol.46, 2865. doi:
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      S.K. Pandey, R.J. Stump, J.W. McAvoy, S. Ang, A.J. Maloof, E.J. Milverton; Lithium Prevents TGFß–induced Aberrant Growth and Differentiation of Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2005;46(13):2865.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Capsule opacification (anterior and posterior) caused by aberrant proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) remains the most frequent complication of cataract–intraocular lens (IOL) surgery. Previous studies showed that Lithium Chloride (LiCl) blocked the TGFß–induced cataractous changes in rat LECs. This study aimed to determine if LiCl had the same effect on human LECs. Methods: A total of 40 human anterior capsulotomy specimens taken during routine cataract surgery were used in this study. Specimens were cultured in media supplemented with either fetal calf serum (FCS) or TGFß. LiCl (20 mM) or an equivalent concentration of sodium chloride (controls) was added to the culture media. Cellular responses were monitored by phase–contrast microscopy. Immunofluorescent localization of α–smooth muscle actin (α–SMA) and other key markers were used to assess the epithelial phenotype. Results: In the presence of FCS or TGFß the cells lost their characteristic cobblestone–like packing and their polarised epithelial phenotype. Cells migrated on the exposed capsule surface and in the case of FCS–treated explants migrated extensively off the capsule onto the culture dish. Most cells showed strong reactivity for α–SMA, a commonly used marker for epithelial mesenchymal transition. However, in presence of LiCl, the cells were quiescent and maintained their characteristic cobblestone–like packing arrangement. No α–SMA was detected in LiCl–treated explants. Conclusions: This study shows that exposure of human LECs to LiCl maintains the normal epithelial phenotype and blocks the aberrant growth and differentiation that is characteristic of capsular bag opacification after cataract–IOL surgery.

Keywords: cataract • growth factors/growth factor receptors • treatment outcomes of cataract surgery 
© 2005, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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