Lens crystallin reactive protein in the aqueous humor of cataract patients.

It is well known that soluble protein decreases in the senile cataractous lens. In this report, the possibility of soluble protein leakage through the capsule into the aqueous humor was studied. Aqueous humor from cataractous patients was obtained in the operating room and analyzed by molecular sieve high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoretic immune blotting assay. A whole lens was obtained from a patient with lens luxation. The lens was kept in Tyrode's incubation medium and the protein leakage into the medium was also analyzed by electrophoretic immune blotting assay. beta L-crystallin reactive protein was ascertained in the aqueous humor of senile cataractous patients. Leakage of the beta L-crystallin reactive protein increased in immature and mature cataracts. The present results also demonstrated leakage of lens crystallin from the senile cataractous lens without capsular rupture.