Expression And Significance Of Cytokeratin, Vimentin And Fibronectin In The Epithelial Of Senile Cataract

Purpose:To investigate the expression of cytokeratin , vimentin and fibronectin in the epithelial of different type of senile cataract and normal lens,and to detect the value of abnormal-differentiation of lens epithelial in the pathogenesis of senile cataract.Methods: CytokeratinS and 18,vimentin and fibronectin were examined by the tecknique of immunohistochemistry. Result:1. CytokeratinS and 18,vimentin were expressed in cytoplasm;fibronectin was expressed in the capsule.2. The express of vimentin in the epithelial of cortical cataract was significantly higher than that in the epithelial .of nuclear cataract and normal lens(p<0. 01%).3. The express of CytokeratinS and 18 in the epithelial of cortical cataract were significantly lower than that in the epithelial of nuclear cataract and normal lens (p<0. 01%).4. Fibronectin was not expressed in the capsule of normal lens, but fibronectin was significantly highlier expressed in the capsule of cortical cataract than that in the capsule of nuclear cataract.Conclusion: The lens epithelial cells(LECs) possess a bipotential nature with the ability to transdifferentiate into fibroblast-like cells.Transdifferentiated LECs in cortical cataract acquired their mesenchymal nature while losing the characteristics of epithelial cells during the formation of cortical cataract,so the express of vimentin increases but that of cytokeratin decreases in LECs of cortical cataract.At the same time ,the transdifferentiated LECs in cortical cataract produced more extracellular matrixes including fibronectin,which can promote cells attachment,proliferation and migration of LECs and plays an important role in the formation of cataract and capsule opacification.