Effect of rabbit aqueous humor obtained after cataract surgery on collagengel contraction induced by bovine lens epithelial cells

We evaluated the effect of specimens of pre- and postoperative aqueous humo r on the contraction of collagen gels, and the effect of transforming growt h factor-beta(2) (TGF-beta(2)) in postoperative aqueous humor. Rabbit aqueo us humor was collected preoperatively and on postoperative day 7, Bovine le ns epithelial cells (LECs) were cultured in collagen gel in F-12 nutrient m ixture supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum that contained 10% aqueous h umor obtained under various conditions, Gel area was determined on day 4. G els cultured with the medium that contained phosphate-buffered saline showe d a statistically significant contraction after 4 days. Aqueous humor from aphakic or pseudophakic eyes significantly increased contraction, with both specimens having a similar effect, Approximately 60% of the contractile ef fect of the postoperative aqueous humor was neutralized by anti-TGF-beta(2) antibody. However, the promoting effect of the aqueous humor sampled posto peratively was less than that sampled preoperatively. Although the aqueous humor obtained postoperatively increased the contractility of the LECs, wit h the level of TGF-beta(2) apparently responsible for much of its effect, t he effect was less than that observed in the aqueous humor obtained preoper atively. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.