Inhibitory Effects of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin on Transdifferentiation of Lens Epithelial Cells into Fibroblast

PURPOSE: This study investigated the inhibitory effects of Paclitaxel by altering tubulin assembly and cisplatin exposure by binding DNA of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) during epithelial cell cultures in the capsular bag model. METHODS: In the capsular bag model, the LECs were cultured with exposure to Paclitaxel (1, 10, 100 nM) and Cisplatin (1, 10, 100 micro M) for 3 min. The effect of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin was analyzed by observing the cell number of fibroblasts per field, Western blots for type IV collagen, TUNEL assay and the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporated proliferating cells. RESULTS: An increase in concentration of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin resulted in a decrease in the number of fibroblasts and spindle-shaped cells. The number of proliferating cells showing PCNA positivity and BrdU incorporation in the nuclei was decreased in a dose dependent manner by treatments of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin. Expression of type IV collagen also decreased after treatment with these two agents. Results of the TUNEL assay showed no change in the apoptosis of cells with regard to an increase in concentration of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed inhibitory effects of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin on the proliferation and transdifferentiation of LECs into fibroblasts using the capsular bag model.

Screening of the Previous Photorefractive Surgery Using the Minimum Distance Between the Anterior Best Fit Sphere and the Center of the Anterior Corneal Surface

PURPOSE: To develop a screening test based on the difference (Diff) between the anterior corneal surface and the anterior best fit sphere in the central region of the Orbscan IIz topography as a way of detecting previous myopic photorefractive surgery. METHODS: From 1623 patients who had no refractive surgery and no corneal disease, 3132 topographies were defined as normal. From 120 patients who had Orbscan IIz topography after myopic photorefractive surgery, 238 topographies were defined as eyes that had undergone refractive surgery. The first objective was to determine the difference (Diff) between the anterior corneal surface and the anterior best fit sphere in the central region. The second objective was to classify the anterior elevation map of Orbscan IIz topography. RESULTS: The Diff value of the center of the anterior cornea surface averaged 0.008+/-0.003 mm in normal eyes, and all values were over 0 mm. However, in eyes that had previous refractive surgery, the average was 0.014+/-0.009 mm, and all values in this group were less than 0. The specificity and sensitivity was 100 % in both groups. The spherical equivalent of the degree of myopic correction and the Diff value of the center of the anterior cornea surface showed a linear relationship. Consequently, we could derive a formula to determine the degree of myopic correction with a known Diff value of the center of the anterior corneal surface. CONCLUSIONS: The screening test, based on the Diff value of Orbscan IIz topography, is quite useful in determining whether an eye has undergone previous myopic photorefractive surgery.