Role of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 5 in Steroid-Induced Cataract

Abstract

Steroid-induced cataracts (SIC) are defined as cataracts associated with the administration of corticosteroids. Long-term glucocorticoid treatment for inflammatory diseases reportedly increases the risk of SIC, and steroids can induce cataracts by disrupting ocular growth factor balance or homeostasis. In this study, we verified the effect of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 5 (CSPG5) using dexamethasone (dexa)-treated human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cells and the lens epithelium from the anterior capsule of SIC patients obtained during cataract surgery. CSPG5 expression increased in the lens epithelium of SIC patients. The downregulation of CSPG5 suppressed the dexa-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression and motility in HLE-B3 cells. The disruption of the transcription factors EZH2 and B-Myb downregulated CSPG5, dexa-induced fibronectin expression, and cell migration in HLE-B3 cells, reaffirming that CSPG5 expression regulates EMT in lens epithelial cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the steroid-induced effects on lens epithelial cells are mediated via alterations in CSPG5 expression. Therefore, our study emphasizes the potential of CSPG5 as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of SIC.

Safety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant Given Either First-Line or Second-Line in Diabetic Macular Edema

“… 65 For instance, it has been demonstrated that dexamethasone may interfere with pivotal pathways which regulate lens cell homeostasis, migration and differentiation. 67 Moreover, dexamethasone showed to increase the stiffness of trabecular meshwork cells in vitro, by inducing over-expression of contractile proteins and synthesis of extracellular matrix. 68 In addition, the accumulation of steroid molecules in the trabecular meshwork may determine increase in intraocular volume and obstruction due to precipitation which also play a role in IOP elevation.…”