Abstract:AIM:To investigate the expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in different ages of rabbit lens epithelial cells(LEC). METHODS:p21 and p27 in lens anterior capsule membranes in 10, 20 and 30 weeks old rabbits were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot in levels of mRNA and protein. RESULTS:p21 in rabbit lens anterior capsule membranes had similar expression with p27 in levels of mRNA and protein. Their expressions were highest in youth rabbits, while lowest in middle aged rabbits. The differences of both p21 and p27 among different ages of rabbit LEC were significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:p21 and p27 may play a balancing role in the process of cycle regulation in rabbit LEC, which provides a reference for researches related to prevent posterior capsular opacification(PCO).
