The effects of laminin and fibronectin on human lens epithelial cells growth characters and vimentin expression

Abstract:

To observe the morphologic characters and the expression of vimentin on human lens epithelial cells (hLECs) cultured on laminin and fibronectin. METHODS: The primary and secondary hLECs were cultured on plates treated with laminin or fibronectin. The feature of hLECS was observed and recorded using an inverse microscope with digital camera and statistical analysis was applied. MTT assay was used to show the growth curve of subcultured cells (the 3^rd passage). Immunofluorescent staining was used to demonstrate the morphologic change in vimentin expression in the 3^rd passaged hLECs. RESULTS: The hLECs in laminin or fibronectin group grew out significantly earlier than the untreated group. The cells could be subcultured fluendly in those two treated groups, while only a few survival cells were found in the untreated group. But the hLECs could undergo apoptosis in laminin group at the terminal phase of their life cycle, while lentoid bodies emerged in fibronectin treated group. There were more viable cells in the fibronectin group from the 4^th to the 7^th day by MTT reaction. Immunofluorescent staining showed a clear morphological difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laminin provide a suitable growth microenvironment for the hLECs while fibronectin promotes the cells proliferation and differentiation.