The spectrin–actin network is disrupted in Tmod1 mutants, disturbing fiber cell morphology, and disordering lens cell organization.

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In this study we used correlative light, scanning, and transmission (freeze-etch) electron microscopy to characterize lens structure in normal mice and compare it with that in mice deficient in the major intrinsic protein (MIP) of fiber cells. Grossly, wild-type lenses were transparent and had typical Y sutures at all of the ages examined. These lenses had fibers of uniform shape (hexagonal in cross section) arranged in ordered concentric growth shells and radial cell columns. In addition, these fibers had normal opposite end curvature and lateral interdigitations regularly arrayed along their length. Ultrastructural evaluation of these fibers revealed anterior and posterior end segments characterized by square array membrane on low-amplitude wavy fiber membrane. Approximately 13% of the equatorial or mid segments of these same fibers were specialized as gap junctions (GJs). In contrast, heterozygote lenses, while initially transparent at birth, were translucent by 3 weeks of age, except for a peripheral transparent region that contained fibers in the early stages of elongation. This degradation in clarity was correlated with abnormal fiber structure. Specifically, although the mid segment of these fibers was essentially normal, their end segments lacked normal opposite end curvature, were larger than normal, and had a distinct non-hexagonal shape. As a result, these fibers failed to form typical Y sutures. Furthermore, the nuclear fibers of heterozygote lenses were even larger and lacked any semblance of an ordered packing arrangement. Grossly, homozygote lenses were opaque at all ages examined, except for a peripheral transparent region that contained fibers in the early stages of elongation. All fibers from homozygote lenses lacked opposite end curvature, and thus failed to form any sutures. Also, these fibers were essentially devoid of interlocking devices, and only 7% of their mid segment was specialized as GJs. The results of this study suggest that MIP has essential roles in the establishment and maintenance of uniform fiber structure, and the organization of fibers, and as such is essential for lens function. Anat Rec Part A 273A: 714 -730, 2003.

Cylindrical map projections (CMPs) have been used for centuries as an effective means of plotting the features of a 3D spheroidal surfaces (e.g. the earth) on a 2D rectangular map. We have used CMPs to plot primate fiber cell organization from selected growth shells as a function of growth, development and aging. Lens structural parameters and features were derived from slitlamp, light and transmission and scanning electron micrographs. This information was then used to create CMPs of lenses that were then correlated with azimuthal map projections (AMPs; projections that are radially symmetric around a central point [the poles] ) to reveal different suture patterns during distinct time periods. In this manner, both lens fiber and suture branch locations are defined by degrees of longitude and latitude. CMPs and AMPs confirm that throughout defined periods of development, growth and ageing, increasingly complex suture patterns are formed by the precise ordering of straight and opposite end curvature fibers. However, the manner in which additional suture branches are formed anteriorly and posteriorly is not identical. Anteriorly, new branches are added between extant branches. Posteriorly, pairs of new branches are formed that progressively overlay extant branches. The advantage of using CMPs is that the shape and organization of every fiber in a growth shell can be observed in a single image. Thus, the use of CMPs to plot primate fiber cell organization has revealed more complex aspects of fiber formation that may explain, at least in part, changes in lens optical quality as a function of age and pathology. In addition, more accurate measurements of fiber length will be possible by incorporating the latitudinal and longitudinal locations of fibers.KEY WORDS: crystalline lens, cylindrical map projection, azimuthal map projection, suture development, fiber cell organization, 3D CAD Int.