Effect of rabbit aqueous humor obtained after cataract surgery on collagen gel contraction induced by bovine lens epithelial cells.

We evaluated the effect of specimens of pre- and postoperative aqueous humor on the contraction of collagen gels, and the effect of transforming growth factor-beta(2) (TGF-beta(2)) in postoperative aqueous humor. Rabbit aqueous humor was collected preoperatively and on postoperative day 7. Bovine lens epithelial cells (LECs) were cultured in collagen gel in F-12 nutrient mixture supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum that contained 10% aqueous humor obtained under various conditions. Gel area was determined on day 4. Gels cultured with the medium that contained phosphate-buffered saline showed a statistically significant contraction after 4 days. Aqueous humor from aphakic or pseudophakic eyes significantly increased contraction, with both specimens having a similar effect. Approximately 60% of the contractile effect of the postoperative aqueous humor was neutralized by anti-TGF-beta(2) antibody. However, the promoting effect of the aqueous humor sampled postoperatively was less than that sampled preoperatively. Although the aqueous humor obtained postoperatively increased the contractility of the LECs, with the level of TGF-beta(2) apparently responsible for much of its effect, the effect was less than that observed in the aqueous humor obtained preoperatively.