Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Secondary cataract remains a difficult and important problem in ophthalmology. In this study, immunohistochemical localization of selected protein constituents in cells of the secondary cataract was compared with the localization of the same proteins in cells of the normal transparent lens using in a rabbit model. Methods:Eight-week old, white rabbits were anesthetized. Phacoemulsification and intra ocular lens (IOL) implantation were performed. For the right eye, a Hydrogel IOL and for left eye, an Acrylic IOL was implanted. After 2 weeks the tissues include IOLs were removed. Following fixation and dehydration, the samples were embedded in paraffin (Sato Y: Am J Pathol 1986). Sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies to alpha-smooth muscle actin, tubulin, spectrin, N-cadherin, beta-catenin and beta crystallin. Results:In a normal control lens, the cells were organized uniformly and beta-crystallin was distributed homogeneously. Tubulin, N-cadherin, spectrin and beta-catenin were found in epithelial cells. In a secondary cataract, the cells were disordered and distribution of beta crystallin was inhomogeneous. The fibroblastic, abnormal cells contained variable levels and distributions of alpha-smooth muscle actin, spectrin, N-cadherin, beta catenin and tubulin. The type of IOL appeared to influence the cellular distribution of these protein constituents. Conclusion:During formation of a secondary cataract, the distribution of crystallins and cytoskeletal proteins appear to be abnormal. The results may indicate the importance of cytoskeletal proteins in the stabilization of transparent structure of lens cells following phacoemulsification, aspiration and implantation of an IOL. Studying constituents of proteins in the presence of different IOLs will provide new information on the mechanism(s) of secondary cataract and insight into methods to prevent the increase of posterior capsule opacification.
Keywords: 338 cataract • 383 cytoskeleton • 506 pathology: experimental