The role of nuclear factor kappa B in lens epithelial cell proliferation using a capsular bag model

This study was performed to elucidate the role of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in lens epithelial cell proliferation in the capsular bag model for this study.

Capsular bags were prepared from porcine eyes and cultured in a 5% CO(2) atmosphere at 37 degrees C. NF-kappaB translocation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The effects of sulfasalazine and SN50 peptide, inhibitors of NF-kappaB activation, were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

NF-kappaB was found in the cytoplasm of nonproliferated lens epithelial cells. However, NF-kappaB moved to the nucleus in proliferation cells, proliferating-cell-nuclear-antigen-positive cells. This translocation was inhibited by treatment with sulfasalazine or NF-kappaB SN50 peptide. These inhibitors also blocked lens epithelial cell migration from the equatorial to the posterior capsule.

NF-kappaB controls proliferation and regulates the growth of lens epithelial cells. In this study, sulfasalazine and NF-kappaB SN50 peptide inhibited cell proliferation in the capsular bag model. These results suggest that the regulation of NF-kappaB in lens epithelial cells may modulate posterior capsule opacification.