The in vitro replicative potential and cellular morphology of human lens epithelial cells derived from different aged donors.

Cultures of human lens epithelial cells have been established using explants of the lens capsule from different aged donors. Outgrowth from the explants occurs more quickly using material from younger as opposed to older donors. The total number of cells as well as the cumulative surface area covered by cell growth is more extensive with the explants from the lens capsules of younger donors as compared with the amount of cell growth from older donor lens capsules. Thus, there is an inverse correlation between donor age and the replicative capacity of human lens epithelial cells in vitro. The lens epithelial cell cultures from human donors of all ages have a finite replicative potential.