Lens epithelial cells which arranged in a mono-layer and cover the anterior surface of the lens play an important role for maintenance of lens transparency through active energy metabolism. On the other hand, the abnormalities in the growth or production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) from lens epithelial cells are involved in fibrotic cataract formations, such as anterior subcapsular cataract and posterior capsular opacification. To propose lead compounds for anti-cataract drug based on novel mechanism, we evaluated the effect of natural polymethoxylated flavone, nobiletin and the newly-synthesized derivatives on cell growth and MMP production in lens epithelial cells.

Diseases and healing are fully determined by the behaviour of molecules. In turn, all molecular reactions are determined by the shape of electron density clouds, forming the actual “bodies” of molecules. Molecular shapes which are mirror images but not superimposable on each other, just as left and right hands, are called “chiral”. Such chiral molecule pairs have equal energies and equal stabilities, but they fit differently into various surroundings. The left handed variants of amino acids dominate in life forming molecules on Earth, and the right-handed forms are “misfits” in living tissues. The purpose of this research is the detailed understanding of molecular processes causing left-to-right mutations of amino acids and peptides, some of which processes do contribute to cataract in the eye.

We encountered a case of deformation 1 year after cataract surgery in which the supports were lifted toward the anterior capsule due to excessive contraction of the anterior capsule. We investigated the mechanism of onset of this condition. It was possible to observe the deformed ends of the haptics from the pupillary margin when the pupil was dilated. The intraocular lens (IOL) used in this case was an SA60AT (Alcon) and supportive fixation was performed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The patient's medical history included uveitis caused by sarcoidosis. We measured the circumference of the transverse section of the crystalline lens using preoperative ultrasound biomicroscopy images from 3 to 9 o'clock. Subsequently, we created a simulation image of the IOL insertion into a space whose size was this circumference minus the diameter of the resection port in the anterior capsule in the same direction. The supports did not move along the horizontal axis as a result of contraction of the resection port in the anterior capsule. Rather, they deformed in such a way that they were lifted toward the anterior capsule and eventually assumed a position in which their ends could be observed from the pupillary margin when the pupil was dilated.

Even if the newt removes lens surgically, the lens is regeneration at the dedifferentiation of iris pigment epithelium cell. Authors introduced the episomal vector into human iris tissue stem / progenitor cells and created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The iPS cells derived from the iris were with positive at Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Sox2 and SSEA-4. The iPS cells differentiated to lens epithelial cells using the rotary floating culture method. This result increased the αA-crystalline gene which was one of the markers of lens epithelial cells than the derivative previous method using the embryonic stem cells, and the cell aggregation which expressed the αA-crystalline protein was formed.