Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:We have reported that lens epithelial cells transiently express mRNAs for c-fos and c-jun following a capsular break injury. In the present study, to define whether lens cells are transcriptionally activated following a mechanical stimuli to the anterior lens surface without any capsular break, we examined the spatial and temporal expression patterns of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins in lens cells following rubbing of the anterior lens capsule. Methods:Wistar rats (n=32) were both generally and topically anesthetized. After rubbing the anterior capsule of the lens in one eye with a dull 27G needle introduced thorough a limbal incision 10 times without capsular breaking, the affected eye was enucleated at 0 (within 1 min) and 30 min, 1, 3, 5 hour(s) after treatment, and were processed for immunostaining for c-Fos or c-Jun protein. Untreated eyes served as control. Results:Untreated lens epithelial cells lacked immunoreactivity for c-Fos or c-Jun. C-Fos protein was localized in the nuclei of lens epithelial cells in the equatorial regions of the injured lens at 3 hrs post-treatment, and was no longer detected thereafter. C-Jun protein was not detected throughout the period examined. Conclusions:C-Fos is transiently expressed in the equatorial lens epithelial cells after rubbing the anterior lens capsule, indicating that equatorial lens cells are transcriptionally activated by a minor mechanical stimuli to the anterior lens surface. Differential expression patterns of c-Fos and c-Jun suggest their distinctive roles in lens cell response to mechanical stimuli.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry • transcription factors • wound healing