DISTRIBUTION OF WATER-SOLUBLE CRYSTALLINS IN MICROSECTIONED CATARACTOUS LENSES FROM 100 EGYPTIAN PATIENTS

Morphologically classified lenses from 100 cataract patients from the Mansoura Eye Hospital (Egypt) were microdissected and the crystallin c omposition and distribution were analyzed by thin-layer isoelectric fo cusing (IEF). The IEF profiles of cataractous lenses were compared wit h each other, with those of sclerotic lenses and with a normal lens pr ofile. The alterations in the composition of high-molecular-weight (HM W)-, alpha-, beta(H)-, beta(L)-, beta(s)-, and gamma-crystallins along with normal aging, are superimposed by pronounced cataract-related ch anges which are different for the various types of cataracts. The gene ral feature includes a continuous loss of gamma-, beta(s)- and beta(L) -crystallins of higher IEPs and an increase of HMW material. This is h ighly pronounced in the nucleus of nuclear cataractous lenses. In cort ical cataractous lenses, changes start in the cortical layers. No diff erences could be observed between alterations in Caucasian lenses and this extended Egyptian lens population.