Ultrastructural fragility and type IV collagen abnormality of the anteriorlens capsules in a patient with Alport syndrome

Purpose: To investigate ultrastructural and immunohistological abnormalitie s of the lens capsules in a patient with Alport syndrome. Methods: Two anterior lens capsules were obtained at phacoemulsification fr om a 43-year-old female patient with bilateral lenticonus who was affected by Alport syndrome. The right capsule was examined by transmission electron microscopy and the left capsule was stained with two monoclonal antibodies against the triple-helical domains of type IV collagen alpha2 and alpha5 c hains. Results: Numerous vertical dehiscences with many disrupted interdigitations were observed in the right anterior lens capsule. Decreased reactivity of monoclonal antibodies against type IV collagen alpha5 chain and normal reac tivity against the alpha2 chain were shown in the left anterior lens capsul e. Conclusion: The ultrastructural fragility of the anterior lens capsules in this patient with Alport syndrome appears to be associated with the abnorma lity of the type IV collagen molecules including the alpha5 chain. Jpn J Op hthalmol 2001;45:103-104 (C) 2001 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.