Premium
Cell death pattern in lens epithelium of cataract patients
Author(s) -
OsnesRingen Øyvind,
Berg Kristiane Haug,
Moe Morten C.,
Zetterström Charlotta,
Røger Magnus,
Nicolaissen Bjørn
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.13009
Subject(s) - apoptosis , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , epithelium , tunel assay , biology , dna fragmentation , programmed cell death , microbiology and biotechnology , immunohistochemistry , caspase 3 , fragmentation (computing) , pathology , immunology , medicine , biochemistry , genetics , ecology
Purpose Apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is observed in various types of cataract and in cultured lens epithelium subjected to oxidative damage. We have recently described oxidative DNA base damage in epithelium in age‐related cataract and cultured cells, and we here aimed to examine such epithelium for markers for proliferation, initiation of apoptosis and morphological patterns of cell damage. Methods Samples ( n = 75) were analysed by light microscopy/electron microscopy ( LM / EM ); immunohistochemistry ( IHC ) for PCNA and Ki67 ( DNA synthesis/proliferation); TUNEL assay ( DNA fragmentation/apoptosis); and protein/gene expression of Caspase‐3 (apoptotic effector molecule) and BAX /Bcl2 (pro‐/anti‐apoptotic marker) in fresh/cultured epithelium by IHC and qRT ‐ PCR . Results In fresh samples, the majority of cells were Ki67−/ PCNA +. BAX / BCL − 2 ‐ratio was approximately 1, and Caspase‐3 levels were low. TUNEL stained scattered nuclei/nuclear fragments (9/6302 cells). Main morphological signs of cell damage included rupture of cell membranes and hydration of cytoplasm and nuclei. Cultivation increased levels of BAX and Bcl2 by IHC and qRT ‐ PCR (approximately 10‐fold upregulation). Caspase‐3 levels remained low by IHC with similar expression in fresh and cultured samples by qRT ‐PCR. Conclusion Genomic stress and DNA repair may explain the contrasting expression of Ki67/ PCNA in fresh epithelium. Despite low levels of Caspase‐3 and similar expression of BAX /Bcl‐2, a low incidence of apoptosis may be detected in epithelium in age‐related corticonuclear cataract. Epithelium may be transferred to culture without an increase in expression of Caspase‐3, one of the central mediators of apoptosis.