Lens and cataract: clastogenic responses in epithelial cells of the organ-cultured rat lens

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Mutagen.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2860090203· OSTI ID:5765209

Geard, C R; Worgul, B V

The epithelial cells of the vertebrate lens have an unique character and a probable involvement in cataract formation, which could be initiated by exogenous stimuli. Individual rat lenses were organ-cultured, and the effects of mitomycin C and gamma rays on sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosomal aberrations, and cellular kinetics assessed in cells from the epithelial monolayer. SCE showed about a 5.5-fold increase over the mitomycin C dose range (0, 17, 83, 170 nM), while chromosomal aberrations increased 38-fold. In cells from untreated lenses, SCE were 1600 times more frequent than aberrations and at a level consistent with in vivo assessments in other cell types. Gamma rays (up to 4 Gy) had a greater inhibiting effect on cellular progression, while 17 nM mitomycin C and 1 Gy induced similar clastogenic responses. This first demonstration of such changes in lens epithelial cells expands on the cell types available for monitoring potential mutagen-carcinogens. Additionally chromosomal changes resulting from lens cellular challenge could be the basis of later cytopathological changes in the lens, of which cataract is the primary concern to humans. Potential cataractogens warrant monitoring, and the study outlined may aid in this endeavor, as well as contributing to an understanding of cataract etiology.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York, NY
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83ER60142
• OSTI ID: 5765209
• Journal Information: Environ. Mutagen.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Mutagen.; (United States) Vol. 9:2; ISSN ENMUD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560120* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
ANTIMITOTIC DRUGS
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CATARACTS
CELL PROLIFERATION
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPITHELIUM
ETIOLOGY
EYES
FACE
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAD
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPES
KINETICS
MAMMALS
MITOMYCIN
MUTATIONS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RATS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
SENSE ORGANS DISEASES
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
TISSUE CULTURES
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES