This study indicated that HMGA2 functions as a shared effector in TGFβ2- induced lens fibrosis, modulating the signaling network necessary for EMT in a positive feedback loop.

The most common complication after cataract surgery is postoperative capsular opacification, which includes anterior capsular opacification (ACO) and posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Increased adhesion of lens epithelial cells (LECs) to the intraocular lens material surface promotes ACO formation, whereas proliferation and migration of LECs to the posterior capsule lead to the development of PCO. Cell adhesion is mainly mediated by the binding of integrin to extracellular matrix proteins, while cell proliferation and migration are regulated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Syndecan-4 (SDC-4) is a co-receptor for both integrin and FGF signaling pathways. Therefore, SDC-4 may be an ideal therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of postoperative capsular opacification. However, how SDC-4 contributes to FGF-mediated proliferation, migration, and integrin-mediated adhesion of LECs is unclear. Here, we found that downregulation of SDC-4 inhibited FGF signaling through the blockade of ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR activation, thus suppressing cell proliferation and migration. In addition, downregulation of SDC-4 suppressed integrin-mediated cell adhesion through inhibiting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. Moreover, SDC-4 knockout mice exhibited normal lens morphology, but had significantly reduced capsular opacification after injury. Finally, SDC-4 expression level was increased in the anterior capsule LECs of age-related cataract patients. Taken together, we for the first time characterized the key regulatory role of SDC-4 in FGF and integrin signaling in human LECs, and provided the basis for future pharmacological interventions of capsular opacification.

Both glistenings and surface light scattering tend to impair subjective visual performance, such as contrast sensitivity, and potentially affect objective optical quality, including straylight, spherical aberration, PSF, and MTF. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(6):372-378.].

MG132-SDDCRs could be established successfully. The PCO process was prevented, and the expression of EMT markers was inhibited by the implantation of MG132-SDDCRs, indicating that this could be a potential treatment against PCO.

RAd-K6W-Ub at an appropriate dosage could inhibit the proliferation of LECs and the formation of PCO in rabbit models. However, a higher dosage of Rad- K6W-Ub viral vector caused toxic effects to the surrounding tissues, such as corneal edema and high IOP.