Effect of anti-TGF-β2 surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane on lens epithelial cell markers of posterior capsule opacification

Abstract

Posterior capsule opacification is the most common complication of cataract surgery. Lens epithelial cells remaining in the capsular bag following surgery can undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and migrate from the anterior to the posterior capsule, leading to fibrosis, capsular wrinkling, and ultimately vision loss. Transforming growth factor-beta 2 has been shown to play a major role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Covalent tethering of anti-transforming growth factor-beta 2 to the surface of the intraocular lens material may inhibit epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the subsequent events, thus leading to a reduction in posterior capsule opacification. In this work, the antibody was tethered to the surface of polydimethylsiloxane as a model lens material via a poly(ethylene) glycol spacer. Surface characterization using a variety of methods demonstrated successful modification. The surface density of the anti-transforming growth factor-beta 2 was approximately 0.5 µg/cm2. The presence of transforming growth factor-beta 2 in cell culture medium stimulated production of extracellular matrix components such as collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and the fibrotic marker α-smooth muscle actin, by HLE-B3 cells. These effects were decreased but not completely eradicated by the presence of the anti-transforming growth factor-beta 2 antibody on the polydimethylsiloxane surface. These results suggest that surface modification with appropriate antifibrotic molecules has the potential to modulate cellular changes following cataract surgery and lead to a reduction in posterior capsule opacification.