Purpose: Adherens junctions and polarity markers play an important role in maintaining epithelial phenotype but get altered during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Alterations of these markers during EMT of lens epithelial cell (LEC) can lead to vision compromising conditions. The aim of this study was to examine if Trichostatin-A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, can prevent EMT by restoring the adherens junction complex in LEC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To explore different molecular factors impairing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms in senile cataractous lenses.
Methods: Enzyme activity of SOD isoforms, levels of their corresponding cofactors copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and expression of mRNA transcripts and proteins were determined in the lenses of human subjects with and without cataract. DNA from lens epithelium (LE) and peripheral blood was isolated.
Background & Objectives: Cytoskeletal proteins are deregulated during oxidative stress and cataract formation. However, estrogen which protects against cataract formation and harmful effects of oxidative stress has not been tested on the cytoskeleton of lens epithelial cells (LECs). The current study was undertaken to assess if the protection rendered to LECs by estrogen was mediated by preserving the cytoskeletal proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpecimens of the anterior lens capsule with an attached monolayer of lens epithelial cells (LECs) were obtained from patients (n=52) undergoing cataract surgery. Specimens were divided into three groups based on the type of cataract: nuclear cataract, cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Clear lenses (n=11) obtained from donor eyes were used as controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report a case of scleral keratitis caused by Phomopsis phoenicicola. Pterygium surgery was a predisposing factor, and the patient was treated with natamycin and fluconazole eye drops and oral fluconazole. The fungus was identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus and confirmed on the basis of its typical pycnidia and conidia.
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