Synthesis of interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and basic fibroblast growth factor by human cataract lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To assay the following cytokines in an incubation medium of cultured lens epithelial cells (LECs) derived from human cataracts: interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1), interleukin (IL-6), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and epidermal growth factor (EGF).

SETTING

Nishi Eye Hospital, Jinshikai Medical Foundation, Osaka, Japan.

METHODS

The anterior lens capsule with attached LECs was obtained by capsulotomy during cataract surgery and cultured. The incubation medium was changed on days 1 and 2 of culture and thereafter weekly up to 7 weeks. The media collected from a specific number of cultures at each medium change were pooled and assayed for cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Interleukin-1 alpha was detected in one of the two pools of the 2 week cultures (207 pg/10(6) cells), in two of the three pools of the 3 week cultures (120 pg/10(6) and 139 pg/10(6) cells), and in one of the two pools of the 4 week cultures (111 pg/10(6) cells). Interleukin-6 was detected in one pool of the 1 week cultures (195 pg/10(5) cells) and in one pool of the 7 week cultures (81.6 pg/10(5) cells). Basic FGF was detected in the incubation media from three series of samples during the culture time course: 87 pg/ml in the 1 day cultures in the first series; 478, 310, and 269 pg/ml in the 1 day, 2 day, and 1 week cultures, respectively, in the second series; and 98 and 83 pg/ml in the 1 and 2 day cultures, respectively, in the third series. The TNF-alpha and EGF were not detected in any sample.

CONCLUSION

After cataract surgery, IL-1, IL-6, and b-FGF may be produced in vivo by residual LECs, causing postoperative inflammation and LEC proliferation.