Expression of stress-response protein 60 in lens epithelial cells in atopic cataract

Purpose: To clarify the pathogenesis of atopic cataract, especially to dete rmine if there is any relationship between autoimmunity and atopic cataract . Methods: We investigated the lens epithelia obtained at surgery from 12 pat ients (12 eyes) with atopic cataract; from 8 patients (8 eyes) with nonatop ic cataract (5 with senile cataract, 2 with juvenile cataract, and one with secondary cataract due to anterior uveitis); and from 4 autopsy eyes as co ntrols. Results: Histopathological findings in the lens epithelial cells from atopi c and nonatopic cataract patients were essentially the same: atrophy of the cells, presence of the superimposed cells, migration of cells into the len s cortex, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and loss of cells. In an immunohistochem ical study, the expression of stress-response protein 60 (srp 60), srp 27, and srp 72 was examined in the lens epithelial cells. In atopic cataract sp ecimens, 71%-87% of the lens epithelial cells were stained with the antibod y against srp 60, but the cells in nonatopic cataract and control specimens were not stained. Conclusions: Srp 27 and srp 72 were not expressed in any observed epithelia l cells. The expression of srp 60 may reflect a protective mechanism of the epithelial cells against injury triggered by immunorelated agents. These f indings suggest that the pathogenesis of degeneration of the lens epithelia l cells in patients with atopic cataract may be related to autoimmunity. (C ) 1999 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.