Folia Biologica
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Charles University 

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Fol. Biol. 2009, 55, 66-76

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2009055020066

Effect of Culture Substrate and Culture Conditions on Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation and α-smooth Muscle Actin Expression

Gabriela Mahelková1,2, L. Bačáková3, J. Korynta4, L. Vajner5, R. Vytásek6

1Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Ophthalmology, Prague, Czech Republic
2Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic
3Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology, Department of Growth and Differentiation of Cell Populations, Prague, Czech Republic
4University of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra Eye Pavillion, Edinburgh, Scottland, United Kingdom
5Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Histology and Embryology, Prague, Czech Republic
6Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Prague, Czech Republic

Received September 2008
Accepted February 2009

The most common complication following cataract surgery is posterior capsule opacification. This results from migration, proliferation and transdifferentiation of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs). We studied the effect of several culture substrates and culture conditions on LEC proliferation and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. We used primary and secondary cultures of porcine LECs cultivated on collagen I, collagen IV, microscopic glass slides, and uncoated plastic dishes. We studied the cell proliferation and expression of α-SMA and α-, β-, and γ-crystallins. The effect of the medium exchange protocol was studied using the TOTL-86 rabbit epithelial lens cell line. There was no difference in growth characteristics of primary cultures on different substrates. In secondary cultures, LECs adhered better to collagen-coated surfaces. The culture substrate influenced LEC proliferation and α-SMA expression. The proliferation was greater when the medium was changed than when extra medium was added on the 4th day. The cells did not synthesize α-, βor γ-crystallin. The culture substrate influences the adhesion ability, proliferation and α-SMA expression in lens epithelial cells. In addition, it is necessary to consider the effects of the medium exchange protocol, serum supplementation, cell density and other cell culture conditions in lens epithelial cell experiments.

Funding

This work was supported by grant No. 51/2001/C/2.LF of Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, grant No. 305/08/0108 of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic and grant No. 1QS500110564 of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

References

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