Zhenzhen Liu , Shan Huang , Yingfeng Zheng , Tian Zhou , Leyi Hu , Lang Xiong , David Wan-cheng Li , Yizhi Liu
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引用次数: 14
Abstract
The crystalline lens is a transparent and refractive biconvex structure formed by lens epithelial cells (LECs) and lens fibers. Lens opacity, also known as cataracts, is the leading cause of blindness in the world.
LECs are the principal cells of lens throughout human life, exhibiting different physiological properties and functions. During the embryonic stage, LECs proliferate and differentiate into lens fibers, which form the crystalline lens. Genetics and environment are vital factors that influence normal lens development. During maturation, LECs help maintain lens homeostasis through material transport, synthesis and metabolism as well as mitosis and proliferation. If disturbed, this will result in loss of lens transparency. After cataract surgery, the repair potential of LECs is activated and the structure and transparency of the regenerative tissue depends on postoperative microenvironment.
This review summarizes recent research advances on the role of LECs in lens development, homeostasis, and regeneration, with a particular focus on the role of cholesterol synthesis (eg., lanosterol synthase) in lens development and homeostasis maintenance, and how the regenerative potential of LECs can be harnessed to develop surgical strategies and improve the outcomes of cataract surgery (Fig. 1). These new insights suggest that LECs are a major determinant of the physiological and pathological state of the lens. Further studies on their molecular biology will offer possibility to explore new approaches for cataract prevention and treatment.
期刊介绍:
Progress in Retinal and Eye Research is a Reviews-only journal. By invitation, leading experts write on basic and clinical aspects of the eye in a style appealing to molecular biologists, neuroscientists and physiologists, as well as to vision researchers and ophthalmologists.
The journal covers all aspects of eye research, including topics pertaining to the retina and pigment epithelial layer, cornea, tears, lacrimal glands, aqueous humour, iris, ciliary body, trabeculum, lens, vitreous humour and diseases such as dry-eye, inflammation, keratoconus, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma and cataract.