In vitro UVB irradiation of bovine crystalline lens causes cell damage and reduction in leucine aminopeptidase activity in lens epithelium.

Past studies in our laboratory have shown that low levels of UVB can cause changes in the optical properties of organ cultured ocular lenses, while other research has shown that in vitro UV radiation causes decreases in leucine aminopeptidase activity in homogenates of crystalline lens material. Therefore we have investigated whether there is a relationship between such decreases in enzyme activity and changes in lens optics and structure. Organ cultured bovine lenses were irradiated with low doses of UVB, and lens optics, histology and leucine aminopeptidase activity (leucine beta-naphthylamide hydrolysis at pH 7.5) were assessed daily. Lenses irradiated with 0.1 J cm-2 UVB showed a decrease of about 30% in leucine aminopeptidase activity 1 h after irradiation, while changes in lens optics were not observed until at least 24 h after irradiation. Histological examination of the lens anterior epithelium revealed changes in epithelial cells ranging from pyknotic nuclei to large areas of cell fragmentation. The results of this study suggest that a decrease in soluble aminopeptidase activity in lens epithelial cells may be a direct result of the epithelial cell damage rather than an effect of UVB on the enzyme per se.