Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Migration in Radiation Cataracts

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Abstract
The left eyes of young and adult mice and rats were exposed to 2400 r of gamma-radiation from a Co60 source (40 r/min.). The right eyes served as controls. Thymidine-tritium is incorporated into the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The number of epithelial cells labeled per section of lens and the number of grains found per cell were taken as a measure of nucleic acid synthesis. The change in position of labeled cells with time indicated cell movement. Initially, the grain count per cell decreased temporarily and then remained near the control level after irradiation. Frequency of cell labeling remained constant for several weeks and then increased moderately. The germinative zone remained in the normal pre-equatorial position despite considerable cell damage evident in the epithelium and cortex regions of the lens. Cells from the germinative zone in the adult rat moved slowly after irradiation. Labeled cells did not enter the lens cortex until after the cataract was well advanced or complete. In younger animals cell migration was faster. In the mouse labeled cells migrated toward the posterior pole just under the lens capsule to form plaques. Lens fiber damage in all cases was well advanced before cells in the zone of DNA synthesis at the time of irradiation migrated and reached the area of opacity in the lens cortex. Damage to the newly forming lens fibers at the time of irradiation is seen as directly leading to the cataract.

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