Expression of nuclear factor-kappaB in traumatic cataract.

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) between human traumatic cataract and normal lenticular epithelial cells.
METHODS: Total RNA of anterior capsule specimens was taken under the microscope from normal cadaveric eyes donors and those suffering from traumatic cataract to make semi-quantitative RT-PCR and conduct analysis of differences in expression of NF-kappaB between them.
RESULTS: As compared with the mean of 0.8337 in normal control group, the expression equivalent of NF-kappaB was 0.9074 for the lenticular epithelial cells in traumatic cataract sufferers, and the differences are of noticeable significance (t = 2.447, P<0.05) accordingly.
CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB is likely a kind of transcription factor necessary to maintain metabolism of normal lenticular epithelial cells. Higher NF-kappaB available in the traumatic cataract sufferer's lenticular epithelial cells means NF-kappaB is of possible relevance to occurrence and development of traumatic cataract.