Induction, Acceleration and Prevention (in vitro) of an Aging Parameter in the Ocular Lens

Abstract

A fluorogen (444-nm emission) is present in mature mammalian ocular lenses (human, rat and mouse) and can serve as an aging parameter in this organ. This fluorogen can be induced in very young human, rat and mouse lenses by incubating them in a media containing 3-aminotriazole and exposing them to ultraviolet (UV) light (300–380 nm). Such in vitro incubations can also accelerate the rate at which this fluorogen normally increases with age; similar results were obtained with in vivo experiments in the mouse. It is proposed that UV-induced free radicals could play a role in this particular aging process. D-Penicillamine is capable of preventing this phenomenon in vitro.