Epithelial invasion and secretion of banded collagen in the regenerating lens capsule of the rat.

The invasion of large areas of the anterior lens capsule by epithelial cells occurs during regeneration of this basement membrane, in the 3 to 4 months after the capsule has been thinned by collagenase enzyme. The regenerated capsule in these areas is grossly abnormal; it contains up to 15 alternating layers of banded collagen and apparently normal capsular material. The epithelial cells within the laminated capsule, which may secrete the banded collagen, are fibroblast-like and may migrate from the lens epithelium. Banded collagen in the lens capsule has a much smaller periodicity (approximately 5.3nm) than that found in other parts of the eye and may be composed of the same type of filament as normal lens capsule.