Induction of de novo synthesis of crystalline lenses in aphakic rabbits.

The mammalian lens, like other ectodermal tissues, can regenerate itself given the proper environment. Endocapsular phacoemulsification of adult rabbit lenses was performed. A lens capsular bag with posterior and anterior lens capsule relatively intact was left in the eye. Regrowth of material in the capsular bag was followed by slit lamp biomicroscopy and photography over a 12-month period. Histopathology of the new material showed regions of relatively normal epithelial cells and lens fibers as well as regions where growth was irregular. All major lens crystallin classes were present in the regenerated lens. Several specific crystallin subunits, known to arise by post-translational modification of primary gene products, were absent or present in abnormally low concentrations.