TGFβ receptor expression in lens: Implications for differentiation and cataractogenesis

Abstract

TGFβ induces changes characteristic of some forms of cataract. However, the responsiveness of lens epithelial cells to TGFβ is age-dependent; weanling and adult, but not neonatal, lens epithelial cells respond. This study investigated TGFβ receptor (TβRI and TβRII) expression during rat lens development and the effects of FGF-2 on TGFβ responsiveness and TβR expression. Immunofluorescence. immunoblotting, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to examine the spatio-temporal expression patterns of TβR. Lens explants were used to investigate the effects of FGF-2 on TGFβ responsiveness and TβR expression. In the lens epithelium, little or no immunoreactivity was detected at P3 but at P21 th..