Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) specifically binds to bovine lens epithelial cells and increases the number of fibronectin receptor sites.

The purpose of the study was to determine the quantitative characteristics of IGF-1 binding sites in lens cells and to investigate its ability to modulate cell growth, in particular by inducing integrin expression. Studies were carried out in bovine lens epithelial cells in culture. IGF-1 receptor binding parameters were measured from saturation experiments with 125I-IGF-1.

Inhibition of cell adhesion to lens capsule by LCM 1910, an RGD-derived peptide.

Opacification of the posterior lens capsule, (secondary cataract), is one of the major complications of extracapsular cataract extraction. The lens epithelial cells remaining after surgery migrate and proliferate along posterior capsule, and give rise to structures such as pearls and cells with contractile properties, which considerably hamper vision. One pharmacological approach aimed at limiting this phenomenon would be to stop this cell migration, thus inhibiting their proliferation.