Inhibitory Effects of Mitomycin-C and 5-Fluorouracil on the Proliferation of Lens Epithelial Cells using Capsular Bag Model

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated the inhibitory effects of mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the proliferation of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) depending on time and concentration during the epithelial cell culture using capsular bag model. METHODS: We cultured LECs using capsular bag model after exposure to various time and concentration of MMC and 5-FU. We compared the half coverage time and appearance of posterior capsule by LECs. We examined the proliferative and inhibitory effect on LECs using BrdU immune staining. We observed the morphologic change of LECs on histologic section. RESULTS: Half coverage time of posterior capsule by LEC was 18.2 +/- 3.5 days in control group, whereas 27.5 +/- 3.8 days and 26.8 +/- 4.2 days when treated with 0.2 mg/ml MMC, 50 mg/ml 5-FU for 3 minutes, repectively. The increase of concentration and the exposure time of MMC or 5-FU resulted in the delay of coverage time of posterior capsule by LECs and reduction of BrdU incorporation in the nucleus of proliferating cells. On histologic section, reduction of LECs' multilayering and few cytoplasmic organells were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Using capsular bag model, we found the inhibitory effect of MMC and 5-FU on LECs proliferation depending on the concentration and exposure time. Capsular bag model would be contribute to the study about after-cataract.