Expression Of NLRP3 Inflammasome Related Protein And Ultrastructure Changes In Lens Anterior Capsule Of Cataracts Associated With Uveitis

Objective: To investigate the expression of NLRP3 related protein in the anterior capsule of uveitis associated with cataract and observe the ultrastructural changes,and reveal the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of cataracts associated with uveitis and the pathological changes in the anterior capsule.Methods:From August 2018 to June 2019,the Department of Ophthalmology,the Provincial Affiliated Hospital of An Hui Medical University,17 cases(22 eyes)of uveitis complicated with cataract and 10 cases(18 eyes)of senile cataract diagnosed and treated in the inpatient department were randomly selected.All patients underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation by the same skilled surgeon,and the anterior capsule was obtained by intraoperative continuous annular capsulorhexis.The anterior lens capsule was used as the experimental group in patients with uveitis complicated with cataract,and as the control group in patients with senile cataract.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and adaptor protein ASC in the anterior capsule tissues of each group.Statistical analysis was then used.Electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes in the anterior capsule tissues of each group.Results: Immunohistochemical technique detected that NLRP3 inflammasome related protein was expressed in the anterior capsule of the lens in both groups.In the anterior capsule of the lens in the experimental group,the expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and ASC(optical density is 0.383±0.067,0.313±0.058 and 0.335±0.035,respectively)were significantly higher than those in the control group(optical density is 0.330±0.085,0.271±0.039 and 0.268±0.036,respectively)(all P<0.05).It was found by electron microscope that there were obvious changes in the anterior capsule of the lens in the experimental group,such as nuclear condensation,chromatin concentration edge set,cell nuclear fold and slight widening,some of the mitochondrial cristae disappeared,and the typical apoptosis body could be seen in the cytoplasm.No significant apoptosis changes was observed in the control group.Conclusion: NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the development of uveitis associated with cataract,Its mechanism needs further study.Apoptosis is an important pathological change of uveitis associated with cataract.