[Effect of epidermal growth factor on proliferation of lens epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on lens epithelial cells (LECs).

METHODS

Bovine LECs (bLECS) and human LECs (hLECs) in culture were treated with EGF. Then, MTT assay was used to examine the proliferation of the cells and the effect of anti-EGF receptor (EGFR) antibody.

RESULTS

BLECs showed marked proliferation depending on the concentration of EGF from 10(-1) - 10(2) microg/L, and EGF at a concentration of 10 microg/L on day 3 induced the highest increase of proliferation; EGF promoted proliferation of hLECs at the concentration of 1 - 10(2) microg/L and EGF of 10(2) microg/L showed the highest promotive effect on proliferation. The anti-EGFR antibody blocked the promotive effect of EGF on proliferation of hLECs when the concentration of this antibody was as low as 0.5 mg/L, and the blocking rate was 81% at the concentration of 3 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONS

EGF has a promotive effect on proliferation of LECs. It is suggested that there are specific EGFRs on the surface of hLECs. EGFs bound to their receptors stimulate proliferation of LECs and play an important role in occurrence and development of posterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery.