isolating mouse lens epithelial cells to study lens-related disorders

Teelt en karakterisering van lensepitheelcellen

The lens of the eye plays a crucial role in vision by focusing incoming light onto the retina. It consists of a transparent, avascular structure composed of specialized cells, among which lens epithelial cells (LECs) are key players. LECs are located at the anterior surface of the lens and are responsible for maintaining its transparency, regulating water balance, and participating in lens growth and development1,2. LECs are a unique type of cells located at the anterior part of the lens, playing a critical role in maintaining lens clarity and function by continuously producing lens fibers throughout life.
Cataracts are characterized by the progressive clouding of the lens, resulting in the distortion and scattering of light, leading to compromised vision3,4. The precise mechanisms underlying cataract formation are complex and multifactorial, involving various cellular and molecular processes such as UV radiation, oxidative damage, and glycation5,6. LECs have been found to contribute significantly to the development of cataracts, making them a vital focus of research1,2,7,8,9.
Furthermore, one of the most pressing issues in ophthalmology today is the relatively high incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), also known as secondary cataract. PCO remains the most common complication after cataract surgery, affecting up to 20-40% of adult patients and 100% of children within 5 years post surgery10. PCO is primarily caused by the residual LECs that remain in the capsular bag following cataract extraction. These cells undergo a multifaceted pathophysiological transformation involving not only epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but also the differentiation of LECs to lens fibers, resulting in a cell population that is a mixture of LECs, fibers, and myofibroblasts11,12,13. The transformed cells proliferate and migrate across the posterior lens capsule, leading to visual impairment. Understanding the behavior and control mechanisms of LECs in culture models can provide valuable insights into the prevention and management of PCO. Therefore, this protocol of culturing LECs presents a vital tool for ophthalmic researchers aiming to study, understand, and ultimately combat this prevalent postoperative complication.
To unravel the intricacies of LEC biology and its role in cataract formation and PCO, it is essential to establish robust and reproducible in vitro primary cell culture systems. Primary LEC culture provides researchers with a controlled environment to study the functions, signaling, and molecular characteristics of LECs. Furthermore, it allows for the investigation of cellular processes and the effects of different experimental conditions, providing valuable insights into lens physiology and pathology.
Prior research has enriched our understanding of LEC culture techniques14,15,16,17,18,19,20. Although these studies have employed various methodologies and yielded significant findings on LEC behavior and characteristics, a comprehensive and accessible video recording protocol for culturing LECs is absent in the current literature. This limitation can hinder novice researchers&#39; ability to accurately reproduce the techniques and can lead to inconsistencies and variations in experimental results. By providing a video recording protocol, this research paper aims to bridge this gap and provide a standardized resource that can enhance reproducibility and facilitate knowledge transfer in the field of LEC culture.

Auteur in de schijnwerpers: het ontrafelen van de geheimen van staar - Onderzoek naar redoxreparatie-enzymen in lensepitheelcellen

Optimalisatie van de epitheelcelcultuur van de primaire lens van muizen: een uitgebreide gids voor trypsinisatie

Our research objective is to explore the underlying causes of cataracts with a particular emphasis on the function of redox repair enzymes. Our aim is to identify the critical role this enzyme play in lens protection, and to establish their potential as drug targets for cataract prevention and treatment. Among many exciting technologies, our research uses lens epithelial cells as a foundational platform.This approach is critical for unraveling the mechanism behind cataract formation, posterior capsule opacification, and the discovery of new anti-cataract drugs. Moving forward, we will focus on understanding the impact of antioxidant enzymes and aging on lens functionality. Our goal is to discover innovative antioxidant treatments that can delay lens aging, prevent cataracts, and provide effective intervention for PCO.

Isoleren van epitheelcellen van muizenlenzen om lensgerelateerde aandoeningen te bestuderen

Plaats om te beginnen de geëuthanaseerde muis op het chirurgische platform. Gebruik een chirurgische schaar om de oogleden voorzichtig te verwijderen. Oefen vervolgens met behulp van een gebogen pincet lichte druk uit op weerszijden van de oogkas, waardoor het oog naar buiten uitsteekt.Gebruik het staarmes om een zorgvuldige incisie in het hoornvlies te maken en gebruik een gebogen pincet om de lens voorzichtig te verwijderen. Breng vervolgens met een gebogen pincet met stompe punten de lenzen over in een plastic kweekschaal van 60 millimeter met vijf milliliter steriele DPBS en Gentamicine. Spoel de lenzen voorzichtig af met DPBS-oplossing die Gentamicine bevat.Plaats de lens na het spoelen op een stuk filtreerpapier en laat deze drogen. Zodra de lens voldoende droog is, brengt u deze voorzichtig over op het deksel van een petrischaaltje om u voor te bereiden op het verwijderen van het lenskapsel. Draai vervolgens de lens naar boven en zorg ervoor dat het voorste segment naar boven wijst.Terwijl u het voorste kapsel met een pincet vasthoudt, gebruikt u een capsulorhexis-pincet in de dominante hand om een klein scheurtje te maken. Trek de twee gereedschappen voorzichtig in tegengestelde richting om de capsule te verwijderen. Plaats de capsule in DPBS totdat alle lensdissecties zijn voltooid.Breng daarna het lenskapsel voorzichtig over op een plaat met zes putjes. Voeg een milliliter 0,05% trypsine-oplossing toe aan elk putje om het enzymatische verteringsproces op gang te brengen. Roer de trypsine-oplossing voorzichtig om een gelijkmatige permeatie te garanderen.Plaats de plaat in een celkweekincubator en laat de capsule acht tot 10 minuten verteren bij 37 graden Celsius. Gebruik vervolgens een ontleedschaar om het verteerde lenskapsel voorzichtig fijn te hakken om de celscheiding te bevorderen. Voeg 0,5 milliliter van het kweekmedium met 10% FBS toe om de trypsine te doven.Breng de weefselmonsters over in een centrifugatiebuis en centrifugeer gedurende vijf minuten bij 1000 G. Verwijder het supernatans voorzichtig zonder de celkorrel te verstoren. Gebruik een milliliter kweekmedium om de cellen te resuspenderen en de cellen te zaaien in een plaat met 24 putjes.Het gefaseerde contrastbeeld van de gekweekte lensepitheelcellen toonde aan dat de cellen tussen de derde en vijfde dag hun proliferatiefase begonnen. Snelle groei en logaritmische proliferatiefasen konden worden waargenomen tussen de zevende en 10e dag.

isolating-mouse-lens-epithelial-cells-to-study-lens-related-disorders

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Isolating Mouse Lens Epithelial Cells to Study Lens-Related Disorders

Optimizing Mouse Primary Lens Epithelial Cell Culture: A Comprehensive Guide to Trypsinization

Lens epithelial cells (LECs) play multiple important roles in maintaining the homeostasis and normal function of the lens. LECs determine lens growth, development, size, and transparency. Conversely, dysfunctional LECs can lead to cataract formation and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Consequently, establishing a robust primary LEC culture system is important to researchers engaged in lens development, biochemistry, cataract therapeutics, and PCO prevention. However, cultivating primary LECs has long presented challenges due to their limited availability, slow proliferation rate, and delicate nature. 
This study addresses these hurdles by presenting a comprehensive protocol for primary LEC culture. The protocol encompasses essential steps such as the formulation of an optimized culture medium, precise isolation of lens capsules, trypsinization techniques, subculture procedures, harvest protocols, and guidelines for storage and shipment. Throughout the culture process, cell morphology was monitored using phase-contrast microscopy. 
To confirm the authenticity of the cultured LECs, immunofluorescence assays were conducted to detect the presence and subcellular distribution of critical lens proteins, namely &#945;A- and &#947;-crystallins. This detailed protocol equips researchers with a valuable resource for cultivating and characterizing primary LECs, enabling advancements in our comprehension of lens biology and the development of therapeutic strategies for lens-related disorders.

This manuscript outlines a detailed video protocol for culturing primary lens epithelial cells (LECs), aiming to improve reproducibility and aid research in cataracts and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It offers step-by-step instructions on lens dissection, LECs isolation, and validation, serving as a valuable guide, especially for newcomers in the field.

Lens epithelial cells (LECs) play multiple important roles in maintaining the homeostasis and normal function of the lens. LECs determine lens growth, ...