The biological study of the cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro.

The human lens epithelial cells (HLE) cultured in vitro was established in normal and cataractous lenses. The biological feature, histological characteristics and the ultrastructure of the cultured HLE cells were investigated. The results reveal that the proliferative capacity of the cultured HLE cells is reversely proportional to the donor age; the cultured HLE cells has the limited proliferative capacity in vitro. The relieve of the contact inhibition is the effective trigger of the HLE cell proliferation. This research work is possible to make a basis for the further study of the regeneration of the lens and the roles of the lens epithelial cells in the development of the cataract.