Microtubules in experimental cataracts: disappearance of microtubules of epithelial cells and lens fibers in colchicine-induced cataracts.

Colchicine (1 approximately 2 X 10(-5) M), a microtubule inhibitor, was added to the organ cultures of rat crystalline lenses. 1. Wistar rats weighing 60-70 grams were used. Their crystalline lenses were cultured and the development of posterior subcortical cataracts became grossly evident in the 4-day-old culture. Corresponding to the posterior subcortical opacity which was macroscopically apparent, vacuole formation was noted in the posterior subcortical region under light microscopy. Layers of bladder cells also existed at the equator. 2. An organ culture was prepared from lenses of Wistar rats weighing 14 grams. On the second day, microtubules were observed in the epithelial cells and lens fibers of the control (normal) lens. In the colchicine (1 X 10(-5) M)-treated cataractous lenses, however, microtubules had disappeared both in the epithelial cells and in the lens fibers on the second day. The above findings suggested that the loss of microtubules had a significant effect on lens opacity in colchicine (1 X 10(-5) M)-treated experimental cataracts in vitro.