Investigations on Mitotic Activity, Cell Density, and Enzyme Activities in the Bovine Eye Lens during Cell Differentiation

Abstract

The existence of zones different as to mitotic activity and cell density could be confirmed in the epithelium of the bovine eye lens from 10- to 18-month-old animals. Lens epithelial cells from these zones and lens fiber cells were isolated and the activities of some enzymes (LDH, GPDH, PGDH, SDH, MDH [DC], LAP, GLD, AA) were estimated. During lens cell differentiation (from epithelium cells to fiber cells), LAP increases whereas LDH and GPDH decrease sharply. The same differences in the activity of these enzymes were found comparing cells of the peripherial zone (morphologically not yet differentiated) with those of the central zone (mitotic quiescent). Therefore, these differences may represent early biochemical marks in the differentiation of lens cells. The remarkable changes in the cell density of the epithelium coating are documented and discussed.