gms | German Medical Science

29. Internationaler Kongress der Deutschen Ophthalmochirurgen (DOC)

09.06. - 11.06.2016, Nürnberg

DOC LECTURE: Will understanding growth factor regulation of fibre differentiation help us regenerate lenses after cataract surgery?

Meeting Abstract

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  • John McAvoy - Sydney Medical Research, Clinical Ophthalmology, Sydney, Australien

29. Internationaler Kongress der Deutschen Ophthalmochirurgen. Nürnberg, 09.-11.06.2016. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2016. DocH 6.2

doi: 10.3205/16doc008, urn:nbn:de:0183-16doc0086

Veröffentlicht: 3. Juni 2016

© 2016 McAvoy.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). Lizenz-Angaben siehe http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Gliederung

Text

Can the lens regenerate its structure and function after cataract surgery? Recent studies by Lin et al (Nature, 351; 323-328) have shown that this is indeed possible, at least after paediatric cataract surgery. Importantly, the key to their success depended on retaining as much of the epithelial layer as possible (rather than the usual attempts to remove it during surgery), as these cells provide the progenitors for new fibres. Whilst this study clearly provides ’proof of concept’ it is important to understand the molecules and mechanisms involved as this will provide the platform for future strategies to enhance regenerative processes; clearly this will be critical if lens regeneration is to be a feasible prospect for the vast numbers of elderly cataract patients.

Through work with rodent models we have shown that most, if not all lens epithelial cells can differentiate into secondary fibres if they are given the appropriate stimulus. In vivo this is provided by growth factors in the vitreous and in particular the abundant and potent FGFs. In addition to providing the progenitors for new fibres, the epithelial cells also provide a polarizing signal that activates the Wnt/Frizzled pathway and ensures the fibres align and orient appropriately to form a spheroidal lens. Studies have also revealed a reciprocal interaction wherein Jagged-expressing fibres activate the Notch signalling pathway in the overlying epithelial cells and ensure that a appropriately sized epithelial layer is maintained. These studies provide insights into an FGF-activated mechanism intrinsic to the lens that involves cell interactions mediated by Wnt-Frizzled and Jagged/Notch signalling pathways. This reciprocal epithelial-fibre cell interaction appears to be critical for the assembly and maintenance of the highly ordered three-dimensional architecture that is central to lens function. Such information provides a foundation for devising new molecular strategies aimed at promoting/enhancing regenerative processes after cataract surgery.