Lens epithelial cell migration onto the posterior capsule in vitro

To investigate lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation on the posterior capsule in an in vitro model.

Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

We cultured the cells remaining on the postoperative capsular bag and expanded the capsule with an open poly(methyl methacrylate) ring to simulate actual postoperative conditions. Using human and rabbit cadaver eyes, we monitored the migration and proliferation of LECs onto the postoperative capsular bag by time-lapse videomicroscopy.

The remaining viable cells migrated onto the posterior capsule through the equator and directly from the anterior capsule. The cells typically proliferated in a monolayer because of contact inhibition of cell movement and division, but they proliferated in a multilayer at some regions where nonviable cells had accumulated and there were capsular folds.

A means to block both routes of cell expansion must be developed to prevent LEC migration onto the posterior capsule.