Research Article

Expression and function of PDGF-α in columnar epithelial cells of age-related cataracts patients

Published: October 27, 2015
Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (4) : 13320-13327 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.October.26.28
Cite this Article:
J. Wei, H. Tang, Z.Q. Xu, B. Li, L.Q. Xie, G.X. Xu (2015). Expression and function of PDGF-α in columnar epithelial cells of age-related cataracts patients. Genet. Mol. Res. 14(4): 13320-13327. https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.October.26.28
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Abstract

We studied the expression and function of platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-α) in the lens epithelial cells of cataracts patients. Ninety age-related cataracts patients were recruited in our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. The expression levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) in the anterior capsule of the lens at different degrees of turbidity, and PDGF-α in the aqueous humor were detected. A human lens epithelium cell line was also cultured and studied. To investigate its function, PDGF-α was used to treat a PDGFR-silenced human lens epithelium cell line to observe changes in the proliferation, transfer, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). The expression of PDGF-α and its receptor increased in patients with more serious cataracts. Lens epithelium cells stimulated by PDGF-α showed greater proliferation and migration. The degree of EMT was also upregulated in cells stimulated by PDGF-α. However, silencing the expression of PDGFR inhibited the effects. The development and severity of age-related cataracts was related to the secretion and expression of PDGF-α. This may be a new therapeutic target for cataracts treatment.

We studied the expression and function of platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-α) in the lens epithelial cells of cataracts patients. Ninety age-related cataracts patients were recruited in our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. The expression levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) in the anterior capsule of the lens at different degrees of turbidity, and PDGF-α in the aqueous humor were detected. A human lens epithelium cell line was also cultured and studied. To investigate its function, PDGF-α was used to treat a PDGFR-silenced human lens epithelium cell line to observe changes in the proliferation, transfer, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). The expression of PDGF-α and its receptor increased in patients with more serious cataracts. Lens epithelium cells stimulated by PDGF-α showed greater proliferation and migration. The degree of EMT was also upregulated in cells stimulated by PDGF-α. However, silencing the expression of PDGFR inhibited the effects. The development and severity of age-related cataracts was related to the secretion and expression of PDGF-α. This may be a new therapeutic target for cataracts treatment.