Immunolocalization of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2 and -beta 3, and TGF-beta receptors in human lens capsules with lens implants

Purpose: To establish the alteration in expression pattern of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta s and their receptors during repair of lens capsul es after cataract surgery, we immunohistochemically located TGF-beta isofor ms and their receptors in human lens capsules before and after cataract sur gery. Methods: Ten post-cataract surgery capsular specimens were obtained during vitrectomy. Three sections of the anterior capsules were obtained during ca taract surgery. A whole lens capsular bag immediately after lens extraction was obtained during vitrectomy. Cryosections of these specimens were proce ssed for immuno-histochemical analysis for TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3, TGF-B receptor type I(T beta R-I), type II (T beta R-II) and type III ( T beta R-III), and were observed under light micros-copy. Results: Lens epithelial cells (LECs) lining the inner surface of the anter ior capsules exhibited immunoreactivity for TGF-beta 2 and T beta R-II. Imm unoreactivity for TGF-beta 1, -beta 3, T beta R-I and T beta R-III was nega tive. In the whole capsular bag specimen, equatorial LECs were positive for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2, but not for -beta 3. In post-cataract surgery spec imens, antibodies for each TGF-beta isoform labelled either the LECs or ECM accumulated on the capsules. Post-surgical LECs expressed T beta R-I and T beta R-II, and had also T beta R-III in seven of the nine specimens examin ed. Conclusion: Expression pattern of TGF-beta s in quiescent LECs showed regio nal heterogeneity. Anterior LECs exhibited TGF-beta 2 immunoreactivity, whi le equatorial LECs were positive for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2. Quiescent LECs expressed T beta R-II. LECs proliferating around IOLs expressed proteins o f each TGF-beta isoform and each T beta R. TGF-beta s were also localized i n the ECM on capsules undergoing repair. TGF-beta 3, T beta R-I and T beta R-III are up-regulated in LECs after cataract surgery.