Background: Migration and proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are
based on interactions between cellular integrins and extracellular matrix
proteins (ECMs). We were able to design polymers substituted with COO- and
SO3- groups that counteract LEC proliferation through modification of the i
ntegrin/ECM interaction. The objective of this study was to compare the cel
l proliferation-inhibiting properties of differently substituted copolymers
with those of a homopolymer. Methods: Polymers were synthesized by radical
polymerization and characterized by nuclear resonance spectroscopy. Second
-passage rabbit LECs were cultured either on PMMA homopolymers (control) or
on substituted PMMA copolymers, Cells were counted on days 2, 7, and 7, Ce
ll vitality was evaluated by trypan blue staining. Experiments were run in
quadruplicate. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test a
nd the Mann-WhitneyU-test, Results: Compared with control, cells cultured o
n copolymers grew to significantly lower cell numbers. The inhibitory effec
t became evident at day 2 after seeding and persisted throughout the experi
ment. Different ratios of COO-/SO3- substitutions yielded different grades
of inhibition. No toxic effect was seen on rabbit LECs. Conclusions: The te
st ed copolymers inhibit cell proliferation and are nontoxic. Further evalu
ation could lead to the development of new intraocular lens materials that
prevent secondary cataract.