[A study of human lens epithelial cells by light and electron microscopy and by immunohistochemistry in different types of cataracts].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the characteristics of cataract changes in lens epithelial cells (LECs), in different types of human cataract.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Anterior capsules for the study were obtained from patients with different types of cataracts during extracapsular cataract extraction, or phacoemulsification using continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. LECs attached to the anterior capsules were analyzed for morphological changes by light and electron microscopy, and for cellular characteristics by immunohistochemistry. The reactivity to cytokeratins 5,6,8,17 and 19 (arker for epithelial cells) and to vimentin (arker for mesenchymal cells) was determined.

RESULTS

The consecutive degenerative changes were observed in most of the cells: multilayered cells, nuclei of abnormal diameters and shapes, vacuolation of nuclei and cytoplasm. LECs were immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin and vimentin, or only for vimentin in all types of cataract. Some of LECs showed morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of mesenchymal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Lens epithelial cells show similar degenerative changes in different types of cataract and may have the ability to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells.