Courtois Y, Simonneau L, Tassin J, Laurent M V, Malaise E
Differentiation. 1978 Jan 13;10(1):23-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-0436.1978.tb00941.x.
Bovine lens epithelial cells, in vivo, are known to perform two determined functions. First, they synthesize the lens capsule and subsequently, in the germinal region, they differentiate in fiber cells with massive production of crystallin proteins, inactivation and pyknosis of the nucleus. Bovine lens epithelial cells from adult origin can be cultured but so far no massive crystallin production has been demonstrated in vitro. We have studied the growth and differentiation of these cells and shown that in long term culture they acquire spontaneously many characteristics of transformation: unlimited growth potential, abnormal karyotype, multilayering. Viral particles were scarcely detected. However, they retain their epithelioid character and the ability to synthesize lens capsule material. Kinetic characteristics of those cells have been determined. When injected into nude mice, they actively proliferate and form tumors in which synthesis of alpha-crystallin can be demonstrated. These results show that in vitro transformation of lens epithelial cells does not affect their potential for terminal differentiation.
已知牛晶状体上皮细胞在体内执行两种特定功能。首先，它们合成晶状体囊膜，随后在生发区，它们分化为纤维细胞，大量产生晶状体蛋白，细胞核失活并固缩。来自成年牛的晶状体上皮细胞可以培养，但迄今为止，尚未在体外证明有大量晶状体蛋白产生。我们研究了这些细胞的生长和分化，结果表明，在长期培养中，它们会自发获得许多转化特征：无限生长潜能、异常核型、多层生长。几乎检测不到病毒颗粒。然而，它们保留了上皮样特征以及合成晶状体囊膜物质的能力。已经确定了这些细胞的动力学特征。当注入裸鼠体内时，它们会积极增殖并形成肿瘤，在肿瘤中可以证明有α-晶状体蛋白的合成。这些结果表明，晶状体上皮细胞的体外转化并不影响它们终末分化的潜能。
