[The role of caveolae in cataractogenesis: examination of human lens epithelial cells].

UNLABELLED: Inrtoduction: Caveolae are flask shaped with 50-100 nm size, non-clathrin associated invaginations of the plasmamembrane. The main membrane protein of the structures is caveolin-1. Caveolae play an important role in numerous cellular functions including vesicular transport and cell-cycle regulation, and create platforms for classical and alternative signaling pathways. According to international studies, caveolae may influence the physiology and pathology of lens epithelial cells.

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine and compare the morphology of caveolae and the immunohistochemical difference of caveolin-1 in control (myopic and hyperopic) lens epithelial cells and human lens epithelial cells affected by cataract. Authors investigated whether caveolae might have a role in cataractogenesis.

METHOD: Anterior lens capsules were obtained by capsulorhexis during surgery of senile cataract and refractive surgery of the clear lens. Ultra-fine sections have been studied by transmission electron microscopy, and semi-fine samples were labelled for immunohistochemistry with polyclonal caveolin-1 and cavin-1 antibodies.

RESULTS

By immunohistochemistry, in the control group, significant caveolin-1 label with low cavin-1 signal were measured in the lens epithelial cells. In the cataract group high cavin-1 and caveolin-1 expression was detected. In the control group, caveolae were not observed, but in the lens epithelial cells with cataract, increased number of caveolae have been detected by electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

For the development and maintenance of the specific caveolae shape, caveolin-1 is needed to be accompanied by cavin-1. Therefore, it is presumable that the increased expression of cavin-1 could explain the higher number of caveolae in the cataract group. These results might suggest that caveolae might play a role in cataractogenesis. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(8): 300-308.