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Updated: Oct 22, 2025
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Quantitative X-ray tomographic analysis reveals calcium precipitation in cataractogenesis
Yuxing Li1,2, Dilworth Y Parkinson3, Jun Feng3
1Vision Science Program and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, 693 Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720-2020, USA.
Calcium precipitates form in the lens core of connexin 46 knockout mice, contributing to age-related nuclear cataracts. Loss of Cx46 promotes this calcium precipitation, a new mechanism for light scattering.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cataracts involve lens light scattering due to protein aggregates, phase separation issues, or osmotic imbalances.
- Connexin 46 (Cx46) plays a role in lens function and integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Cx46 in age-related nuclear cataract formation.
- To examine the structural changes in the lens core of Cx46 knockout (Cx46KO) mice using advanced imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Synchrotron phase contrast X-ray micro-computed tomography was used to image the lens cores of Cx46KO mice.
- Alizarin red staining was employed to detect calcium deposits.
Main Results:
- High-resolution 3D X-ray tomography revealed amorphous spots and dense precipitates in the lens cores of all Cx46KO mice.
- These precipitates accumulated in anterior suture regions and increased in size and density with age.
- Alizarin red staining confirmed the presence of calcium precipitates in the lens cores.
Conclusions:
- Spatial and temporal calcium precipitation is linked to age-related nuclear cataract formation in Cx46KO mice.
- Loss of Cx46 promotes calcium precipitation in the lens core, representing a novel mechanism contributing to cataract-induced light scattering.
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