An increase in apoptosis and reduction in alpha B-crystallin expression levels in the lens underlie the cataractogenesis of Morioka cataract (MCT) mice

作者：Kondo Tomohiro; Ishiga Hashimoto Naoko; Nagai Hiroaki; Takeshita Ai; Mino Masaki; Morioka Hiroshi; Kusakabe Ken Takeshi; Okada Toshiya^*

来源：Medical Molecular Morphology, 2011, 44(4): 221-227.

DOI：10.1007/s00795-010-0531-2

• Apoptosis
• alpha B-Crystallin
• Hereditary cataract mouse model
• MCT mouse
• Scanning electron microscopy

We examined the morphological changes in fibers, localization of apoptotic cells, and protein expression of alpha B-crystallin in the lens of Morioka cataract (MCT) mice, a novel cataract model. Using a scanning electron microscope, swollen lens fibers and enlarged spaces between lens fibers were observed in the lens of 3-week-old MCT mice. At 2 weeks of age (before cataract), the single-strand DNA (ssDNA)-positive (indicating apoptosis) cell ratio of the lens epithelium was significantly higher in MCT than in wild-type ddY mice. At 2 and 4 weeks of age, alpha B-crystallin protein expression of the lens in MCT mice was significantly lower than that in wild-type ddY mice. These findings suggest that increase in apoptosis and reduction in alpha Bcrystallin level are involved in the cataractogenesis of MCT mice.

• 出版日期2011-12