Duplication of lens epithelial cells and apoptosis

Fas and single stranded DNA (ssDNA) are markers of cell apoptosis. We used immunohistochemical methods to locate the presence of Fas and ssDNA in surgically obtained lens epithelial cells. One specimen was from atopic cataract with pyramidal opacity in the anterior pole in a 22-year-old male. The other was a fibrous opacity along the margin of anterior capsulotomy in a 65-year-old female who had received cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation 6 years before. In the case of anterior polar cataract, both Fas and ssDNA were positive in the multilayered lens epithelial cells. In the case of secondary cataract with fibrous opacity, Fas was negative and ssDNA was positive in the stratified lens epithelial cells. The finding seemed to show that apoptosis may have occurred through a route bypassing Fas in the fibrous opacity along the margin of anterior capsular capsulotomy.